Commission on the Status of Women

Fifty-fourth Session

2^nd Meeting (AM)

Commission on Status of Women Elects New Chair

 

of Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Sessions

 

The Commission on the Status of Women ‑‑ the United Nations’ principal policymaking body dedicated to gender equality and women’s advancement ‑‑ today elected by acclamation Garen Nazarian, of Armenia, as Chairperson of its fifty-fourth and fifty-fifth sessions.

Mr. Nazarian, whose candidature was endorsed by the Group of Eastern European States, will complete the term left vacant by Armen Martirosyan, also of Armenia, who recently resigned after receiving a new posting.  That term expires at the end of the Commission’s fifty-fifth session in 2011.

In addition, the Commission, which was convening the second meeting of its fifty-fourth session, elected by acclamation Julio Peralta, of Paraguay, as Vice-Chairperson of the fifty-fourth and fifty-fifth sessions.  Mr. Peralta had been nominated by the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Taking the floor after his election, Mr. Nazarian said it was an honour to be elected Chairperson.  Thanking the Eastern European Group for endorsing him, and the Commission for electing him, he said he looked forward to working closely with all members of the Commission in carrying out the work of the sessions.

Speaking next in his national capacity, Mr. Nazarian said Armenia reaffirmed its commitment to promoting gender equality and looked forward to participating in future deliberations.

Mr. Nazarian and Mr. Peralta join three other members of the Commission’s Bureau for the two sessions:  Vice-Chairperson Leysa Sow (Senegal) of the African Group; Vice-Chairperson Roberto Storaci (Italy) of the Western European and Other States Group; and Vice-Chairperson Takashi Ashiki (Japan) of the Asian States Group.

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For information media • not an official record