Appointments

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed François Batalingaya of Rwanda as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Comoros, with the host Government’s approval.

Following the recommendation of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, after consultation with Member States, the General Assembly confirmed Filippo Grandi of Italy as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for a further two‑and‑a‑half‑year term, beginning 1 January 2021 and ending 30 June 2023.  While the Secretary‑General had intended to request the General Assembly to elect Mr. Grandi for a further term of five years, Mr. Grandi was agreeable, owing to personal reasons, to the shorter term.  Mr. Grandi is currently serving an initial five‑year term as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Khalida Bouzar of Algeria as the next Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

On 1 November, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Michaela Friberg-Storey of Sweden as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, with the host Government’s approval.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Alice Wairimu Nderitu of Kenya as Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.  She succeeds Adama Dieng of Senegal, to whom the Secretary-General has expressed deep gratitude for his dedicated leadership and achievements.  The Secretary-General also wishes to extend his appreciation to Navamanee Ratna (Pramila) Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, who has been serving as Acting Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.

On 15 October, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Issa Sanogo of Cote d’Ivoire as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Madagascar, with the host Government’s approval.

On 1 October, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Valerie Julliand of France as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, with the host Government’s approval.

On 23 September, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director David Beasley and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General Qu Dongyu announced the appointment of Gina Casar of Mexico as WFP Senior Adviser at the Assistant Secretary-General level.

On 21 September, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Babatunde Ahonsi of Nigeria as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, with the host Government’s approval.

On 21 September, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Zahira Virani of Canada as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Angola, with the host Government’s approval.