Head of Resident Coordinator's Office in Chile

Meet Max Bonnel, the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office in Chile.  In his previous capacity as the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office in Malawi (December 2019 – October 2022), he, together with the Resident Coordinator, spearheaded inter-agency efforts to bring the UN family in Malawi together to create a greater value to the Government of Malawi and development partners.  

During the height of COVID-19 pandemic, Max led the coordination among the UN entities to reprogramme USD 50 million based on the UN in Malawi’s Socio-Economic Impact Assessments and consequent Socio-Economic Response Plan. This helped respond to the rapidly shifting needs of both the Government and the population in need, ensuring the necessary support was provided timely and efficiently.  It also allowed more people to get vaccinated, quick digitalization measures in health and, most importantly, an increase in social safety nets to urban poor and rural communities unable to cope with the escalating costs of living due to the COVID-19 impacts on their livelihoods.  

Max also ensured coordinated efforts by UN entities in support of the Government of Malawi in organizing the Green Climate Conference in August 2021. This event, a precursor to the regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) event to consolidate and promote climate action in preparation of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in 2021, was hosted by Malawi, the SADC presidency at the time. Max’s role was instrumental in bringing coherence, trust and expertise from the agencies to support Malawi’s lead at regional level. Since October 2022, Max is leading the Resident Coordinator’s Office and advising the Resident Coordinator at a time of great change for the UN in Chile.