SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS KUNIO WAKI DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UNFPA

Press Release
SG/A/719
POP/749

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS KUNIO WAKI DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UNFPA

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today announced the appointment of Kunio Waki of Japan as Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), effective 1 February.

Mr. Waki is currently Associate Director of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG). He succeeds Hirofumi Ando, who is retiring from UNFPA on 31 January. Mr. Ando has served UNFPA with distinction in a number of senior positions. He was appointed Deputy Executive Director in 1993. The Secretary-General expressed his sincere appreciation to Mr. Ando for his contribution to the Fund.

Mr. Waki has had a distinguished career in development cooperation and international administration, including service with the Overseas Technical Cooperation Agency (now JICA) of Japan and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Mr. Waki joins UNFPA with a strong understanding of field operations from his experience in various postings with UNICEF in Asia and Africa. He also has a proven record in inter-agency cooperation and collaboration and in furthering reform initiatives in various capacities, most recently within UNDG.

“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Waki to UNFPA, he brings tremendous breadth of experience and knowledge in the development field, he will be a great asset to our work in the years ahead”, said Dr. Nafis Sadik, UNFPA’s Executive Director.

Mr. Waki holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations and a Master’s degree in Public and International Affairs in the area of Economic and Social Development.

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