Biographical Note

Secretary-General Appoints Juan Somavía of Chile Special Adviser

 

on Interregional Policy Cooperation

 

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today the appointment of Juan Somavía of Chile, former Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), as his Special Adviser on Interregional Policy Cooperation.

Mr. Somavía will help develop a two-year strategy of policy cooperation on selected strategic issues among the United Nations regional commissions based on ongoing activities and will contribute to facilitate interregional policy cooperation initiatives.  Mr. Somavía will perform his tasks based in Santiago, Chile, at the offices of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) on a part time basis.

As former Director-General of ILO (1999-2012) and Ambassador of Chile to the United Nations in New York (1990-99), Mr. Somavía has a long and distinguished career in civil, political and international affairs, holding key positions at the United Nations system, such as:  Chair of the Preparatory Committee of the World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen (1995); President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (1993-94 and 1997-98); and Representative of Chile on the United Nations Security Council, including President of the Security Council in April 1996 and October 1997.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record