SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS JAN EGELAND OF NORWAY AS HIS SPECIAL ADVISER

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has decided to appoint Jan Egeland of Norway as his Special Adviser, at the Under-Secretary-General level.

With more than 25 years of experience in peace processes and humanitarian operations in conflict zones around the world -- for the United Nations, the Norwegian Government and non-governmental organizations -- Mr. Egeland will be a valuable asset to the Secretary-General on matters relating to the prevention and resolution of conflict.  (For further biographical information, please see Press Release SG/A/840 of 6 June 2003.)

This appointment complements existing efforts to bolster United Nations capacity for peacemaking and good offices, being led by the Department of Political Affairs.  One of Mr. Egeland’s duties will be to coordinate a standby team of technical experts that can be called upon at short notice to assist envoys in peacemaking efforts around the globe.  The standby team is currently being developed as an initiative of the recently created Mediation Support Capacity within the Department of Political Affairs.

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For information media • not an official record