Today, President Mauricio Macri presented the candidacy of Susana Malcorra for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations and highlighted that the diplomatic experience of the Argentine Foreign Minister will contribute to finding "creative solutions" to the challenges faced by the organization.
Her candidacy was formally submitted through a letter sent by the Argentine Head of State to the President of the UN General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, and to the Chair of the Security Council CTC, Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta.
"Upon presenting this candidacy, the Argentine Government is convinced of Ms Malcorra's qualifications and abilities, which will enable her to perform the functions pertaining to the position of Secretary- General of the United Nations outstandingly", said Macri in his letter.
The President recalled that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship, aged 61, who was born in the Argentine city of Rosario and graduated as an electronic engineer from the National University of that city, has a long professional career in both the public and private sectors, including her work at the UN for more than one decade.
Malcorra performed various functions in her career as a UN official. Among other things, she served as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme, and she was Chef de Cabinet to the Secretary-General.
She was involved in the design of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development from the outset, and she has the knowledge and capacity to promote its implementation around the world.
President Macri noted that the UN faces "big challenges in an increasingly complex world."
He further observed that "in this context, it is necessary" to find solutions that ensure "peace, security, development, and human rights." He also referred to the value of partnerships between governments, the private sector and civil society, based on a "comprehensive and more integrated vision." "The double goal of prevention and sustainability should be the basis of all the agendas pursued by the UN," he added.
If elected, Ms Malcorra would be the first woman to serve as Secretary General of the UN since the organization was created in 1945, and the second Latin American appointee. The only representative of the region to serve as Secretary-General was Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (1982-1991).
Her nomination is in line with the vision of the Argentine Government, which aims at implementing a foreign policy that is more integrated into the world and promotes inclusive dialogue while respecting the diversity of approaches and interests.
This also ratifies the importance of multilateralism as a way of establishing relations between States, with common rules and obligations, and in furtherance of such essential goals as peace, progress and development with social inclusion.
.
Friday 20th May 2016
Press Release No. 149/16
Press Office: +54(11) 4819-7375 / 8296 / 7388
www.cancilleria.gob.ar
@CancilleriaARG
Susana Malcorra: Respected Around the World, Experienced at the UN
Throughout her work, Susana Malcorra has earned the respect of world leaders and developed a record of effective diplomacy while serving at the United Nations. Below are just some of statements praising Malcorra from previous months.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
“Ms. Malcorra has served the United Nations with great distinction. As Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, she helped to strengthen the way we plan, deploy and back our peace operations. As Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), she was integral to WFP’s ability to reach millions of people caught up in armed conflict, food insecurity and natural disasters… I know from my conversations with world leaders and civil society that Ms. Malcorra is well-respected across the world.”
US Secretary of State John Kerry:
“She worked at the United Nations for a long period of time, working directly as chief of staff with the Secretary-General, so she knows us and she knows our country well.”
Samantha Power, US Ambassador to the UN:
“UN's Susana Malcorra is a brilliant & compassionate diplomat. She will be sorely missed at @UN but Argentina foreign policy in great hands”
David Smith, UN representative in the Americas:
“Malcorra is a superb professional, a no-nonsense manager but also a wise diplomat, focused on achieving results, and winning hearts and minds… a woman who understands our world in a way few others do.”
Associated Press:
“Malcorra is highly respected at the U.N. and known for her collaborative nature.”
Alicia Bárcena, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL), on Malcorra’s unveiling as Foreign Minister:
“I welcome the appointment of Susana Malcorra as Argentine Foreign Minister. Her work in the UN was dedicated and very professional”
Argentine President, Mauricio Macri, in his letter to the UN nominating Susana Malcorra as candidate for Secretary-General to the UN:
“In submitting this nomination, the government of Argentina is convinced of the experience and capabilities of Ms. Malcorra, which will enable her to excel in the role of Secretary-General to the United Nations, as she has proved throughout her professional career to date”
Marcos Peña, Cabinet Minister Chief, Government of Argentina:
“Her nomination is an honor for Argentina and for Latin America, and we hope it will lead to her becoming the first woman UN Secretary-General. Having worked together with her these last months, I am convinced that Susana Malcorra will be an excellent Un Secretary-General.”
.
Press conference by the President of Argentina, Mauricio Macri, on the occasion of the official nomination of Susana Malcorra as a candidate to the post of United Nations Secretary General: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3maLqb5ZKno
.
More information available at: www.casarosada.gob.ar/slider-principal/36398-el-presidente-mauricio-macr...
.
