SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS CROWN PRINCE OF JAPAN TO SERVE AS HONORARY PRESIDENT

OF ADVISORY BOARD ON WATER AND SANITATION

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon today appointed His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Japan to serve as Honorary President of his Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, effective today, 1 November 2007, until the end of 2010.

The Advisory Board was established by the United Nations in 2004 with the aim of advising the Secretary-General and raising people’s awareness on water and sanitation issues, and promoting advancement of the water and sanitation agenda in the world.  The chair of the Advisory Board, His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands welcomes His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Japan as Honorary President of the Advisory Board.  His appointment enhances the importance of the work of the Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board is composed of a wide range of eminent persons, technical experts, and other individuals with proven experience in inspiring people, moving machinery of the government, and working with the media, the private sector and civil society.  The members serve on the Board in their individual capacity at the request of the Secretary-General.  The late Prime Minister of Japan, Ryutaro Hashimoto, served as the first Chair of the Board.

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For information media • not an official record