UN appoints Tom Fletcher new under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs

​​​​​​​By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - UN chief Antonio Guterres appointed Tom Fletcher of the UK on Wednesday as the new humanitarian head, succeeding Martin Griffiths, who led the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Expressing gratitude to Griffiths for his "outstanding work, dedicated service, and long-standing commitment" to OCHA, Guterres acknowledged Joyce Msuya, who will continue as Acting under-secretary-general until Fletcher assumes the role.

"Mr. Fletcher, who is currently the Principal of Hertford College, Oxford (since 2020) and Vice Chair of Oxford University’s Conference of Colleges (since 2022), has strong experience of leading and transforming organizations and bringing an understanding of diplomacy at the highest levels," the statement noted.

It mentioned that Fletcher previously served as an advisor to various UK prime ministers and was the ambassador to Lebanon from 2011 to 2015.

It further noted that Fletcher worked closely with the UN and holds a master’s degree in modern history.

He is fluent in English, French, Arabic and Swahili.

Griffiths had announced he would leave in late March due to health reasons, but remained until the end of June "to allow for a smooth transition."