Addis Ababa, 6 May 2025 – The Association of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS) hosted a well-attended seminar at the UNECA Limpopo Library under the theme “Knowledge Transfer and Retirement Preparedness.” The event brought together retired and current UN staff to reflect on life after service and explore ways to better institutionalize support for UN retirees in Africa.
Organized with the support of the ECA Library, the seminar opened with remarks by AFICS President Molla Sharew, who emphasized the importance of planning for life after retirement and strengthening collaboration with UN agencies.
“We are here to share our experience. That there is life after retirement,” said Mr. Sharew. “This transition must be supported by all, so that retirees continue to feel valued and connected, and their experience continues to serve the system.”
He also reiterated the call for a United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) office in Addis Ababa, noting that despite the presence of over 15 UN organizations and thousands of staff, no local support office currently exists. This, he stressed, creates unnecessary hardship for retirees navigating pension and health systems in their post-service years.
ECA Chief of Staff Aboubakri Diaw delivered a heartfelt tribute:
“Supporting our retirees is not a favour, it’s a contribution to our own future,” he said. “When I look at you, I see my aspiration. We must learn from your experiences to shape what lies ahead for all of us.”
The seminar featured an engaging panel of former civil servants sharing practical advice on pension processes, health care, and the importance of social connection after retirement. Irene Onyancha, Chief of UNECA’s Knowledge Management Services, emphasized the need for structured mechanisms to preserve institutional memory and enable mentorship across generations.
Participants also learned about AFICS’s governance structure, which includes a board, and subcommittees focused on skills development, social affairs, communication, and member activities. Several speakers, including Almaz Kassa, highlighted the specific financial and health-related vulnerabilities faced by women retirees, calling for more gender-responsive policies. The seminar concluded with a vibrant Q&A session and a renewed commitment from ECA to explore avenues for collaboration with AFICS. These include establishing mentorship programmes, expanding wellness initiatives, and advocating for the creation of a local UNJSPF support office in Addis Ababa.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org