Global perspective Human stories

Top environmental agency official named director of UN headquarters in Nairobi

Top environmental agency official named director of UN headquarters in Nairobi

Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has tapped the chief of the United Nation’s environmental agency to serve as the Director-General of the Organization’s headquarters in Nairobi, a UN spokesperson said today.

Achim Steiner, whose new directorship is effective as of 1 March, will retain his position as Executive Director of the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP).

Mr. Steiner began a four-year term at UNEP in 2006, after serving as Director General of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) from 2001 to 2006.

As Director-General of the UN Nairobi Office (UNON), he is succeeding Anna Tibaijuka, who will continue to serve as the Executive Director of the Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), a position she has held since 2002.

“The Secretary-General made this decision in view of his policy of rotation among his senior managers,” his spokesperson, Marie Okabe said, adding that Mr. Ban also expressed gratitude to Ms. Tibaijuka for the direction she provided the office.

“He is counting on her continued leadership as Executive Director of UN-HABITAT,” she said.