Following Decision by High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Angela Kane to Step Down, Secretary-General Expresses ‘Utmost Gratitude’ for Her Service

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

Angela Kane has informed me of her intention to step down as High Representative for Disarmament Affairs.  I would like to express my tremendous gratitude for her outstanding service and successful advocacy of disarmament and non-proliferation issues with Member States, civil society and the public.  Through greatly increased participation in international meetings and seminars, either as a representative of the Secretary-General or on her own behalf, Ms. Kane made a crucial contribution to the collective endeavour of the United Nations and its Member States, as well as the civil society, to advance both the disarmament and non-proliferation agenda and the cause of ridding the world of the scourge of chemical weapons.

Ms. Kane has had a long and distinguished career in the United Nations, serving in almost every continent.  Prior to joining the Office for Disarmament Affairs in 2012, Ms. Kane served at Headquarters as Under-Secretary-General for Management since 2008 after 35 years of experience, including, as Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Assistant Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea.  Assigned to positions in Indonesia, Thailand and El Salvador, Ms. Kane has vast experience ranging from political affairs, peacekeeping, public information and management.

Following Ms. Kane’s departure, I have designated Mr. Kim Won-soo as Acting High Representative for Disarmament Affairs.  I conveyed my appreciation for the work done by Ms. Kane in implementing my five-point action plan, which was launched in 2008 to revitalize the international disarmament agenda.  While much has been done, still a lot remains to be achieved.  I expect Mr. Kim to follow through on it.