From Tokyo to Tashkent and back: UN Volunteering assignment kicks off new career pathway
For Ayaka Naito, a UN Volunteer assignment with the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO) in Uzbekistan became an important first step into a new career in international development. Building on her experience in the business world, Ayaka undertook a ten-month assignment as Programme Assistant on COVID-19 Partnerships Development and Finance in Tashkent. Her UNV assignment was supported through the COVID-19 Impact Reduction Programme, funded by the Government of Japan.
Ayaka’s assignment had a strong focus on COVID-19 response and capacity building, along with accelerating private sector engagement in the Sustainable Development Goals. She also enhanced Uzbekistan’s participation in the UN Food Systems Summit last year.