Kemal Dervis took helm of largest UN agency Monday – New UNDP Administrator to push development agenda at 2005 World Summit
One month before world leaders gather here to take stock of progress toward ending hunger and poverty, Kemal Dervis, a former Turkish Minister of Economic Affairs , Member of the European Convention and senior World Bank executive, took office Monday as Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
A world-renowned economist, Mr. Dervis is the first person from a country that receives development assistance – rather than provides it – to hold the top post at UNDP, the UNs largest agency.
– Running the organization at the forefront of the UN’s poverty eradication and democratic governance efforts in todays complex world is a challenge and a singular opportunity. I am excited to begin my work at UNDP, he said.
Mr. Dervis, 56, starts his term as the UN gears up for the 2005 World Summit from 14 to 16 September.
A central feature of the Summit will be a review of progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The goals, including cutting poverty and hunger in half, reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS and ensuring that all children attend primary school by 2015, were agreed to by 189 countries at the Millennium Summit five years ago.
– With the backdrop of the G8s pledge last month to provide debt relief and more aid – this is a historic moment, he said adding:
– I believe that 2015 should be a milestone for humanity. It could represent a huge step forward and my UNDP colleagues and I are proud to be key participants in this venture.
UNDP manages nearly 4 billion US dollar (24 mia. DKR) in resources annually, working in 166 countries to help people and their governments to meet global and national development goals.
The UNDP Administrator also chairs the UN Development Group, which coordinates international assistance and reconstruction work of UN agencies.
Mr. Dervis succeeds Mark Malloch Brown, who led UNDP for six years undertaking internal reforms, expanding its resource base and assuming global leadership of the campaign to achieve the MDGs as chair of the UN Development Group.
In January 2005, Mr. Malloch Brown was appointed as the UN Secretary-Generals Chief of Staff and agreed to continue to serve as UNDP Administrator until a successor was named.
Mr. Dervis is expected to build on the reforms instituted by his predecessor and consolidate UNDPs role in helping achieve global development priorities such as the MDGs, democratic governance and crisis prevention and recovery.
Prior to joining UNDP, Mr. Dervis was a member of the Turkish Parliament and, in that capacity, also a member of the Joint Commission of the European and Turkish Parliaments. In 2001 and 2002, as Turkish Minister of Economic Affairs and Treasury, Mr. Dervis reforms ended his countrys deep financial crisis. His policies sparked sustained growth and helped Turkey become a candidate for European Union membership.
During his 22-year career at the World Bank, Mr. Dervis served as Director of the Central Europe Department, where he coordinated the support of the Bank and donor community to the peace and reconstruction process in Bosnia.
In his role as Vice President for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management there, he helped develop the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers initiative, aimed at expanding reforms in the poorest countries with the inclusion of civil society in the policy formulation process.
Mr. Dervis latest book, A Better Globalization (2005), has received critical acclaim for its innovative ideas on global governance, including its proposals on strengthening the UN.
In addition to his native Turkish, Mr. Dervis speaks fluent English, French, and German. He holds a doctorate in economics from Princeton University and Masters and Bachelor’s degrees from the London School of Economics.
Mr. Dervis was among six finalists selected from a pool of more than 100 nominations from UN member states and others.
When announcing the nomination, the Secretary-General said: – He combines a proven practical and intellectual track record in the fields of development and international finance with a passionate commitment to addressing the scourge of poverty and established skills as a manager.
Kilde: www.undp.org
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