TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT BY ACCLAMATION

The Trusteeship Council held a brief organizational meeting this afternoon to elect Jean-Pierre Lacroix of France as its President and Karen Pierce of the United Kingdom as its Vice-President.

Both candidates were elected by acclamation after being nominated on the basis of consultations among Council members.  Following the election, incoming President Lacroix thanked Council members for the trust they had placed in him.  Outgoing President and new Vice-President Pierce congratulated Mr. Lacroix in the course of conducting the meeting.

The Trusteeship Council is a principal organ of the United Nations, established for the purpose of administering 11 Trust Territories placed under the Organization’s care at its founding in 1945.  The Council suspended operations when the last United Nations Trust Territory, Palau, attained independence in 1994.

Membership of the Council now comprises the five permanent members of the Security Council -- China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States.  The Council’s future role is under consideration as part of the broader reform of the United Nations and the Security Council.

The Trusteeship Council will meet again at a date and time to be announced.