SECRETARY-GENERAL ACCEPTS, ‘WITH GREAT REGRET’, RESIGNATION OF UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL CHRISTOPHER BURNHAM

SECRETARY-GENERAL ACCEPTS, ‘WITH GREAT REGRET’, RESIGNATION

OF UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL CHRISTOPHER BURNHAM

The following statement is attributable to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

It is with great regret that I have accepted the resignation of Under-Secretary-General for Management, Christopher Burnham.

Chris has been a driving force in the management reform efforts over the past 18 months, including the creation of the first-ever Ethics Office in the United Nations, rewriting the United Nations whistleblower protection policy, devising stronger financial disclosure requirements, the creation of the first Consolidated Report of the United Nations, the adoption of new international accounting standards and the reform and modernization of the United Nations’ procurement service.

Soon after his departure on 15 November, he will be returning to the private sector after more than five and a half years of public service, both at the United Nations and, previously, with the United States Department of State.

His strong leadership will be missed at the United Nations.

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For information media • not an official record