Irish diplomat to drive UN reform
An Irish diplomat has been selected to head up a special body dedicated to driving reform of the United Nations, it was revealed today.
Paul Kavanagh, Ireland’s permanent representative to the UN, has been named co-chair of a task force set up to promote greater coherence in the organisation around the world.
He will look at speeding up efforts to improve accountability, transparency and cost effectiveness across the UN.
Dermot Ahern, Foreign Affairs Minister, said Mr Kavanagh was the best man for the job.
“I am confident Ambassador Kavanagh will do a first-class job, for Ireland as well as the United Nations, in this important role,” Mr Ahern said.
“Ambassador Kavanagh brings to his new responsibilities unparalleled experience of the United Nations, having worked for a decade and a half in key positions with three successive UN Secretaries General.”
Mr Kavanagh also served as Irish Ambassador to the UN in Geneva and at the European Union in Brussels and had a central role in Ireland’s campaign for election to the Security Council in 2000 and the subsequent delegation on the Council.
He was appointed by president of the UN General Assembly Ambassador Srgian Kerim and the promotion coincides with Ireland working with Tanzania to address accountability, transparency and cost effectiveness within the UN system.
Mr Ahern said reform was needed to better serve member states.
“Continuing reform is under way at the United Nations, but greater coherence is required across the work of its broad system of agencies, funds and programmes in the development, humanitarian and other fields,” he said.
“In this way the UN will better serve all of its member states and peoples in need.”
