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UN appoints French ambassador to aid work in Pakistan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-25 02:59

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-general Ban Ki- moon announced on Monday the appointment of Jean-Maurice Ripert of France to head UN humanitarian and development efforts in Pakistan, said a spokesperson for the world body.

As the Special Envoy for Pakistan, Ripert is expected to work closely with the government of Pakistan and the UN humanitarian and resident coordinators in creating a strategic approach to supporting humanitarian, recovery and reconstruction needs.

Pakistan suffers from one of the largest internal displacements in recent memory. About 2.3 million people were forced from their homes in April due to fighting between government forces and Taliban militants in the northwest.

"The position has been established by the secretary-general to assist the government of Pakistan and the international community in responding to the present humanitarian recovery and reconstruction needs relating to the country's displacement crisis, " UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters.

"Mr Ripert has had a long and distinguished diplomatic career with his government on UN-related issues and brings to this challenging assignment a wealth of experience in international fora and a solid track record in consensus building," she said.

Ripert currently serves as the permanent representative of France to the UN in New York. Prior to this, he served as the French UN Ambassador in Geneva. From 2003 to 2005, he served as the director of the UN and International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in France, and from 2000 to 2003, he was his country's ambassador to Greece.