Ban appoints Irish national as new deputy envoy for Guinea-Bissau

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Maria do Valle Ribeiro of Ireland as his Deputy Special Representative for Guinea-Bissau.

Ms. do Valle Ribeiro will also serve as UN Resident Coordinator and UN Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in the West African country.

The new deputy envoy possesses more than 25 years of development and humanitarian experience in progressively senior leadership positions with the United Nations and international non-governmental organizations in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, according to a UN spokesperson.

Most recently, Ms. do Valle Ribeiro was the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Angola.

Prior to that appointment, she served in that capacity in Mauritania. She held various senior positions with UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) starting in 2002. Ms. do Valle Ribeiro worked for non-governmental organizations, Save the Children from 1992 to 1999, and for Concern from 1984 to 1990.

Ms. do Valle Ribeiro will succeed Gana Fofang of Cameroon, who held the deputy post since February 2011.

In today’s appointment, Mr. Ban’s spokesperson extended the UN chief’s gratitude for Mr. Fofang’s commitment and dedicated service during his tenure in Guinea-Bissau.