Dr. Rita Columbia is a highly experienced professional with a diverse background in international development, humanitarian work, programme management and public health. With over 20 years of experience, she has held various leadership positions. She recently served as the UN Resident Coordinator ad interim in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and prior to that served as the UNFPA Representative in Iraq from 2020 to 2023 and Moldova from 2016 to 2019 and Country Director for Albania from 2016 to 2019.

Before her tenure as a UNFPA Representative, Dr. Columbia contributed to the UNFPA technical division as a family planning technical advisor. She also served as an SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights) program adviser in the Regional Eastern Europe and Central Asia office.

Dr. Columbia holds a master's degree in Non-Profit and Health Management from New York University. She also obtained a degree in Public Administration from the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economy, and Prognosis. Furthermore, she holds a medical degree from the Kazakhstan National Medical University.