SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS MIKE SMITH OF AUSTRALIA EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR OF COUNTER-TERRORISM EXECUTIVE DIRECTORATE

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon confirmed the appointment of Mike Smith ( Australia) to serve as Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) at the Assistant Secretary-General level, following the concurrence of the Security Council.  Mr. Smith, who will join CTED soon, will replace Javier Ruperez ( Spain) who stepped down at the end of June.

The Security Council, by its resolution 1535 (2004), established the post to enhance the Council’s ability to monitor the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001), raise the counter-terrorism capacities of Member States by facilitating the provision of technical assistance, and promote closer cooperation and coordination with international, regional and subregional organizations.

Mr. Smith currently serves as Australia’s Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism.  He has held a number of senior postings in the diplomatic service of his country, including in Egypt, United States, Algeria and Tunisia.

From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Smith served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations in Geneva and, from 1998 to 2002, he was Chief of Staff to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Smith was born in Adelaide in 1949.  He speaks Arabic and French and holds a Bachelor of Law degree from Adelaide University.

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For information media • not an official record