Auke Lootsma

Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine

Auke Lootsma

Auke Lootsma assumed his duties as UNDP’s Resident Representative in Ukraine on 15 July 2025. Before coming to Ukraine, he led the UNDP office in Iraq, from November 2022 to July 2025. From February 2019 to November 2022, Mr. Lootsma was UNDP Resident Representative in Yemen, after initially joining the country office in August 2016 as Country Director.

Mr. Lootsma’s career with UNDP spans over 30 years - he joined the organization in 1994. Throughout this time, he has held several key positions, including UNDP Country Director in Rwanda, Senior Recovery Advisor in Ukraine, Deputy Country Director in Sudan, and Deputy Resident Representative in Uganda.

He holds a Master of Science degree in Business Administration and Development Economics.

Veterans: Heroes of the Past, Builders of the Future

When Oleksandr returned from military service, he found the transition to civilian life difficult. Severely injured in combat, he struggled to find work that matched his physical needs. The sense of purpose he had found in serving his country seemed lost. Yet today, Oleksandr is a sought-after IT specialist. Through a reskilling programme supported by international partners, he gained new skills and secured a job that suited his new reality.

1 October, 11:06 AM 24

Ukraine’s youth are ready to lead recovery — opinion

Seventy-seven percent of young Ukrainians say they are ready to participate in their country’s recovery. Yet only one percent are involved in formal reconstruction projects.

12 August, 09:45 AM 665

Unlocking finance in Ukraine: the ‘missing middle’

As the 2026 Financing for Development Conference increasingly focuses on scale, leverage, and private capital mobilisation, Ukraine offers a practical lesson: the real challenge is not just raising more money, but making finance work in crisis contexts where recovery and development must advance together.

29 April, 09:03 PM 1283

Powering resilience /
Ukraine’s energy overhaul is a race against time

Ukraine’s energy system is facing its most severe crisis since the start of the full‑scale invasion.

23 February, 10:25 PM 1641