Asha-Rose Migiro, UN second-in-command, takes up post

Former Tanzanian Foreign Minister Asha-Rose Migiro reported for duty at United Nations Headquarters in New York today as Deputy Secretary-General, making her the highest ranking woman at the world body and the second highest among all officials.

“I am delighted to join you all today as Deputy Secretary-General,” Ms. Migiro, 50, said in an open letter to UN staff.

“As I set about making the United Nations my new home, I greatly look forward to working with you and to learning from your experience and expertise,” she added. “By working together, with a common vision, I am confident we will succeed in meeting the enormous expectations placed upon us.”

Ms Migiro, is the third person and second woman to fill this post, was Tanzania’s Foreign Minister since January 2006. She has an academic background in law and also served as her country’s Minister of Community Development, Gender and Children's Affairs.

“Through her distinguished service in diverse areas, she has displayed outstanding management skills with wide experience and expertise in socio-economic affairs and development issues,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon upon naming Ms. Migiro to the position on 5 January.

Over the course of the next several days, she will acclimate herself to the Organization by visiting various departments and agencies, as well as receiving briefings and meeting with officials. She will sign a declaration at a ceremony next week.

Ms. Migiro succeeds Mark Malloch-Brown, who was appointed in April 2006, in her post established in late 1997 by Mr. Ban’s predecessor, Kofi Annan.