Peter Sutherland has agreed to continue as the UN Secretary Generals Special Representative for Migration through 2008.
The Secretary-General emphasized that Mr. Sutherland, as his Special Representative will remain the primary link between a new Global Forum and the UN system. The new Global Forum has just met in Brussels, and the next Global Forum will be held in Manila in 2008, hosted by the government of the Philippines
Mr. Sutherland – a former Attorney General of Ireland, former European Union Commissioner and former Director-General of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the World Trade Organization – is currently Chairman of BP plc.
He is also an honorary Ambassador for the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and has previously been a member of the Commission on Human Security (the idea for which was launched at the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000). He has indicated that he wishes his new assignment to be on a pro bono basis.
Peter D. Sutherland is Chairman of BP plc (1997 – current). He is also Chairman of Goldman Sachs International (1995 – current).
Of Irish nationality, he was born on 25 April 1946 and was educated at Gonzaga College, University College Dublin and the Kings Inns. Mr. Sutherland graduated in Civil Law. He was also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America. From 1969 to 1981 he practised at the Bar. He is a Bencher of the Middle Temple, London and is an Honorary Bencher of the Kings Inns.
In addition to his Chairmanships listed above, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, and is associated with the following organizations: Trilateral Commission (Europe), Chairman; World Economic Forum, Foundation Board Member; the European Institute (United States), the Federal Trust, President; and Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (2 March 2005).
Prior to his current position, Mr Sutherland served as: Attorney General of Ireland (1981-1984); European Commissioner responsible for Competition Policy (1985-1989); Chairman of Allied Irish Banks (1989-1993); and Director-General of the World Trade Organization, formerly GATT (1993-1995).
He has received 14 honorary doctorates from universities in Europe and America. He was awarded an honorary fellowship of the London Business School in recognition of his contribution to business and trade (1997).
His publications include the book Premier Janvier 1993 ce qui va changer en Europe (1989) and numerous articles in law journals. He chaired the Committee that reported to the European Economic Community (EEC) Commission on the functioning of the Internal Market after 1992 ( the Sutherland Report ).
Mr Sutherland is married and has three children. His leisure interests include reading and sport.
