Meet our Director

Mr. Charles Katoanga leads the work of the Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD), which serves as the UN system focal point on Youth, Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, Families, Cooperatives, the social dimensions of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and Sport for Development and Peace, and coordinates follow-up to the 1995 World Summit for Social Development. DISD is the substantive secretariat for the Commission for Social Development, Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

He was appointed Director of the Division by the Secretary-General in September 2024, following a 24-year career in the United Nations Secretariat. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Katoanga was the Chief of Staff of the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. He has served in the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the Department of Management.

Before joining the United Nations Secretariat, Mr. Katoanga worked for the Government of Fiji and the New Zealand Official Development Assistance bilateral programmes in Fiji and Tuvalu and its Pacific Regional programme.

Mr. Katoanga is a graduate of the University of the South Pacific and Santa Clara University as well as executive education programmes of the John F. Kennedy School of Government.

He is  of Fijian and Tongan descent and a national of Fiji.