SECRETARY-GENERAL DESIGNATES UNEP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO SERVE CONCURRENTLY AS DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNITED NATIONS NAIROBI OFFICE

9 February 1998

Press Release
SG/SM/6460
HAB/149

SECRETARY-GENERAL DESIGNATES UNEP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO SERVE CONCURRENTLY AS DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNITED NATIONS NAIROBI OFFICE

19980209 Also to Serve as Current Habitat Chief; Will Prepare Proposals On United Nations Reform in Environmental, Human Settlements Areas

Following is a statement issued today, attributable to the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

Dr. Klaus Topfer has taken up today his functions as Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), following his unanimous election by the General Assembly on 3 December 1997.

The Secretary-General has decided to designate Dr. Topfer concurrently as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi. He will, in that capacity, also serve, for the time being, as the head of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat). This is intended to enhance the coherence of United Nations activities in the related fields of environment and human settlements, while fully retaining the distinct identity of the two entities as provided for in the relevant General Assembly resolutions. In addition, as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, he will direct the services established in Nairobi to provide common administrative support to UNEP and Habitat and to administer other United Nations activities based in Nairobi.

The Secretary-General has also asked Dr. Topfer to chair a task force that will prepare proposals for his consideration, and subsequent submission to the General Assembly, on reforming and strengthening United Nations activities in the environmental and human settlements areas, in line with relevant indications in his reform programme (document A//51/950, paras. 170-179).

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