SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS MARGARETA WAHLSTRÖM OF SWEDEN ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS

SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS MARGARETA WAHLSTRÖM OF SWEDEN

ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS

The Secretary-General today announced the appointment of Margareta Wahlström (Sweden) as Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator.

Ms. Wahlström recently served in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General responsible for relief, reconstruction and development.  Prior to that appointment, she had served in the same Mission as Chief of Staff of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General.

From 2000 to 2002, Ms. Wahlström worked as an independent consultant on issues related to emergency response and strategic and organizational development.

From 1989 to 2000, Ms. Wahlström worked at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva, where her last assignment included provision of operational and strategic direction and leadership in the IFRC response to disasters.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Wahlström worked for non-governmental organizations, as well as in the private sector.  She has worked in South-East Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Ms. Wahlström, a national of Sweden, has a degree in economic history, social anthropology and political science.

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