Off the wire
• China calls for safeguarding post-war int'l arms control regime  • 2nd LD Writethru: U.S. slaps tougher sanctions on Venezuelan officials  • U.S. fiscal deficit forecast revised up to 486 bln dollars in 2015  • UN chief congratulates solar-powered plane project  • French stock market index down 0.55 on Monday  • KMT chairman says to continue exchanges with CPC  • Roundup: Iran, IAEA strive to tackle remaining key nuclear issues  • Israeli shekel slips against dollar to 2.5-year low  • China has no "aggressive intentions" despite defense budget rise: expert  • Former Greek FinMin deposited money overseas fearing Greece's financial instability  
You are here: 　 Home

British MP Stephen O'Brien named new UN humanitarian chief

Xinhua, March 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon has appointed British lawmaker Stephen O'Brien as the next UN humanitarian chief, a UN spokesperson said here Monday.

O'Brien will succeed Valerie Amos, a former British Cabinet minister, and serve as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Emergency Relief Coordinator, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters at a daily news briefing.

"O'Brien brings to the position extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy and advocacy, together with international leadership and management, in the coordination of collective action within the humanitarian community," said Dujarric while reading out the announcement.

O'Brien has been Britain's special representative for the Sahel since 2012 and won the 2014 Champions Action Award for his leadership in mobilizing campaigns against malaria and neglected tropical diseases.

From 2010 to 2012 he was the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development.

"Mr. O'Brien is expected to bring innovative and strategic ideas as a strong humanitarian advocate with more than 20 years of experience in international development and health care," the spokesman said.

In the announcement, Ban also expressed his "utmost gratitude" to Amos for her outstanding service to the UN in tirelessly advocating for the world's people in greatest need.

Amos offered to resign in November last year and will leave her position at the end of March after more than four years in the position. Endite