Ban Ki-moon names Ibrahim Gambari to continue diplomatic initiatives on Myanmar

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today designated senior adviser Ibrahim Gambari of Nigeria as his representative in carrying out the diplomatic brief given to him by the General Assembly on Myanmar.

“In the discharge of his functions, Mr. Gambari will work in coordination with relevant parts of the UN system in order to support Myanmar’s efforts in implementing relevant General Assembly resolutions,” according to a statement by the Secretary-General’s spokesperson Michele Montas.

Mr. Ban also “looks forward to the cooperation of the Government of Myanmar and all relevant parties to the national reconciliation process, with a view to making tangible progress towards the restoration of democracy and the protection of human rights” in the South-East Asian country, she added.

Mr. Gambari’s appointment is effective immediately.

He has been serving as Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Political Issues since early March, and, prior to that, was chief of the Political Affairs Department in July, 2005. He was also the Special Adviser on Africa and headed the UN Mission in Angola. He was Nigeria’s Ambassador to the world body from 1999 to 2002.