Secretary-General, Saddened by Death of Former Ecuador Foreign Minister,

Acknowledges His Contributions to World Peace

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

The Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the death on 24 May in Quito of Diego Cordovez, former Foreign Minister of Ecuador and former senior United Nations official.

During his long and distinguished UN Secretariat career, Mr. Cordovez served as Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, as Special Adviser on Cyprus, and Special Adviser on Latin American issues.  Mr. Cordovez made important contributions towards world peace, including helping negotiate the Geneva Accords, which led to the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan in 1988-1989.

The Secretary-General conveys his condolences to Mr. Cordovez’s family and loved ones, as well as to the Ecuadorian people.

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For information media • not an official record