Secretary-General Appoints Elliott Harris of Trinidad and Tobago Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations Environment Programme New York Office

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today the appointment of Elliott Harris of Trinidad and Tobago as Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the New York Office of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Mr. Harris brings over 25 years of international experience in the fields of international economics and development policy analysis, coupled with knowledge of the United Nations system, multilateral and inter–agency coordination processes.  He joined UNEP’s Senior Management Team in 2013 as Director of the New York Office and Secretary to the Environment Management Group.  He plays a central role in UNEP’s contribution to the post-2015 development agenda, the Rio+20 Summit outcomes as well as the interagency coordination mechanisms such as the Environment Management Group (EMG) and the High-Level Committee on Programmes of the United Nations Chief Executives Board.

Prior to joining UNEP, Mr. Harris began his career in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1988, where he worked in the African Department and the Fiscal Affairs Department.  In 2002 he became an Adviser in the Policy Development and Review Department, and was appointed in 2008 as Special Representative to the United Nations, in addition to serving as Assistant Director of the Strategy and Policy Review Department.

Mr. Harris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in German and political science and an advanced degree in economics.  He was awarded an Advanced Studies Certificate in international economics and policy research from the Institute of World Economics in Kiel, Germany.