Experienced Japanese diplomat to head UN political office in Timor-Leste

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today named a veteran Japanese diplomat to head up the newly established UN political office in Timor-Leste.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan today named a veteran Japanese diplomat to head up the newly established United Nations political office in Timor-Leste.

Sukehiro Hasegawa, who has more than 30 years of experience with the UN, will be the Head of the United Nations Office in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL). The appointment is with effect from 21 May 2005, when the mandate of UNOTIL entered into force, and will last until 20 May 2006, when the mission will end.

He will thus continue to serve as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste, having succeeded Kamalesh Sharma of India as Head of the UN Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) on 21 May 2004.

Mr. Hasegawa has been serving as the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Timor-Leste since July 2002, and previously served as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste and Deputy Head of UNMISET from 1 July 2002 to 20 May 2004.

Having begun his United Nations career in 1969, Mr. Hasegawa has since held several senior positions within the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Volunteers (UNV).