UNAMA new deputy rep in Kabul to assume office

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) new deputy special political representative Georgette Gagnon has arrived in Afghanistan to assume office.

On September 4, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres named Canadian diplomat Georgette Gagnon as UNAMA’s new deputy special political representative.

UNAMA wrote on its Facebook page Gagnon arrived in Kabul on Saturday to start her job.

It said Ms. Gagnon brings to the position more than 28 years of experience in supporting peacebuilding processes and leading strategic initiatives on human rights, humanitarian action and development in conflict and post-conflict settings.

It added: “Since 2021, Ms Gagnon has served as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya in UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya.”

She succeeds Markus Potzel of Germany, whom the secretary-general praised for his dedicated service in support of the mandate of the mission.

Gagnon holds a Bachelor of Law from Osgoode Hall Law School-York University in Toronto, Canada, and a Master of Law in International Human Rights Law from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom.

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