“I aspire to serve UNDP abroad one day,” says the ever-ambitious Mr. Velea Vagi, Programme Analyst for the Governance Portfolio of the UNDP Papua New Guinea Country Office.

As a Programme Analyst, Mr. Vagi’s key tasks include the coordination and oversight role for all projects under the portfolio, to ensure project outcomes are delivered as intended whilst focusing and maintaining UNDP ethical project and programme management practices.

His job, in a way, suits Velea because of his interest in understanding people, culture, religion and politics piqued at a young age.

“I loved reading and researching topics in religion, history and politics. This interest led me to take up Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Papua New Guinea. My motivation now is to continue serving UNDP so that I can make a difference in maintaining global peace.”

Being part of the UNDP team is something he is proud of adding that UNDP has provided and continue to support the Government of Papua New Guinea in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and especially the importance of gender equality.

“Gender equality to me, is not just about women empowerment. It is about providing and creating an equal playing field for all human beings to live and realize their potential. Gender equality, therefore, is an issue of equity (inequality in opportunities) and requires a systematic approach to addressing it in the country,” he said.

Velea is from Central Province and spent most of his life in Port Moresby. He says he’s fortunate to travel to most parts of Papua New Guinea.