DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL TO LEAVE UN IN EARLY 2006, TAKE UP POST AT CANADA’S INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE INNOVATION CENTRE

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL TO LEAVE UN IN EARLY 2006, TAKE UP POST

AT CANADA ’S INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE INNOVATION CENTRE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Deputy Secretary-General, Louise Fréchette, has informed the Secretary-General of her intention to leave the United Nations early next year in order to take up a new post as Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo, Canada.

The Secretary-General warmly congratulates Ms. Fréchette on her forthcoming appointment.  He has always valued her professional support and friendship and looks forward to continuing to work closely with her on the United Nations reform agenda over the coming months.

Ms. Fréchette will remain at the United Nations until April 2006 in order to complete her role in coordinating the preparation for the Secretary-General’s proposals for implementing comprehensive United Nations management reform, as requested in the Outcome Document agreed by Member States at the United Nations World Summit last September.  That report is due for submission to the General Assembly by the end of February 2006.

At the Centre for International Governance Innovation, Ms. Fréchette will be chairing a two-year research project on nuclear energy, ranging from political, economic and environmental implications of increased nuclear energy use to the risks of proliferation of nuclear weapons.  In carrying out this initiative, Ms. Fréchette will be associated with the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.

The Secretary-General is particularly pleased to note that she will be devoting her future time and energy to an issue that he regards as critical unfinished business for the United Nations and the international community.

Ms. Fréchette assumed her duties as the first United Nations Deputy Secretary-General on 2 March 1998 after being appointed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan.  Prior to joining the United Nations, Ms. Fréchette was the Deputy Minister of National Defence of Canada from 1995 to 1998.  She also served as Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations from 1992 to 1995.

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For information media • not an official record