SECRETARY-GENERAL MOURNS DEATH OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S PRESIDENT JOSEPH KABUI

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General mourns the passing of President Joseph Kabui, the first President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Papua New Guinea.  President Kabui was known as a skilled mediator and peacemaker who had a genuine interest in the future of his people.  He played a crucial role in bringing peace to Bougainville, following the years of conflict, achieving autonomy for the province in 2005.  The late President Kabui enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the United Nations, through the peace negotiations and the years of the UN Observer Mission to Bougainville and the Political Office that followed.  The Secretary-General extends his condolences to the family of President Kabui and to the people of the province of Bougainville.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record