New Deputy Secretary-General Takes Oath of Office And Pledges Loyalty to UN

New York, Feb 5 2007 3:00PM

Former Tanzanian Foreign and Development Minister Asha-Rose Migiro was sworn in today as Deputy Secretary-General, making her the third ever and the second woman to fill the post, and she vowed to advance the work and increase the cohesiveness of the United Nations.

“In all I do I will strive to bring about a more integrated United Nations, which delivers as one,” Ms. Migiro, 50, said after being introduced to the press by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon following a swearing-in ceremony.

“I am also fully committed to supporting the priorities set by the Secretary-General,” she said, and these priorities include “strengthening the work of the United Nations, enhancing trust between Member States and the Secretariat [and] bolstering the working culture of the Organization to ensure it is equipped to meet the mandates our membership has given us.”

The Secretary-General, who has worked with Ms. Migiro in that past when they represented their respective governments, voiced confidence in her and remarked that “with her extensive knowledge and experience… she will bring leadership qualities to this Organization.”

Ms. Migiro, now the highest ranking woman at the world body and the second highest among all of its officials, also stated that UN reform will be high on her agenda.

“I look forward to the task ahead with excitement and enthusiasm, but equally with profound humility, and above all I look forward to working with the Secretary-General to implement his vision,” she said.

Ms. Migiro’s first official day on the job was last Thursday, and she has continued to familiarize herself with her new post by meeting with representatives of Member States as well as with numerous UN officials and staff.

ENDS