Biographical Note

Secretary-General Appoints Ivan Šimonovic of Croatia Assistant

Secretary-General in New York Human Rights Office

 

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced today the appointment of Ivan Šimonovic as Assistant Secretary-General to head the New York Office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Mr. Šimonovic has extensive experience in the fields of international development, human rights, peacebuilding and development of national institutions, which he has addressed at the political and academic levels.  

Mr. Šimonovic has held the position of Minister of Justice since 2008, having previously served as Assistant Minister and Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia.  He was the Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York for six years, and served as the Senior Vice-President and President of the Economic and Social Council from 2001 to 2003.  Throughout his 20-year career, he has actively engaged in various human rights related activities both as a legal expert, as well as a diplomat.

A Croatian national, Mr. Šimonovic was born in 1959.  He is married with two children.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record