Lidia Arthur Brito

Lidia Brito serves as the Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences at UNESCO since November 2023, following a distinguished tenure at the organization where Lidia held several key positions, including Director of the Multisectoral Regional Office for Southern Africa from 2009 to 2023 and Regional Director for Sciences in Latin America and the Caribbean. Lidia has represented UNESCO in multiple Southern African countries and has contributed to science policy and sustainable development within the Natural Sciences Sector. Prior to UNESCO, Lidia worked as an advisor for strategic planning and external relations for the Mayor of Maputo City and served as Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology in Mozambique. Lidia's academic career includes roles as Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Head of the Forestry Department at Eduardo Mondlane University. Lidia earned a Doctorate in Forest Sciences from Colorado State University.