New York, 26 October 2021 (TDI): The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres announced the appointment of Noeleen Heyzer, on 25 October. Guterres appointed her as the new Special Envoy for Myanmar.
SCHRANER SUCCESSOR AND EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
According to the note, Heyzer succeeds Christine Schraner Burgener of Switzerland. Guterres expressed his gratitude for Schraner’s service, to support the people of Myanmar. The note mentions; that Heyzer also was the first woman to serve as the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and also the Pacific.
Her term was from 2007 to 2014. Then the note mentioned that under her leadership, first, the Commission focused on regional cooperation. That cooperation was to develop a more resilient Asia-Pacific. To base that resilience on shared prosperity, then social equity, and also sustainable development.
HEAD OF UNIFEM
First, Hezyer was the Executive Director for United Nations Development Fund for Women, from 1994 to 2007. She played a critical role in the Security Council’s formulation, and implementation of landmark resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security. In 2010, the UN fused UNIFEM with other entities, under the agreement with the Member States to create UN Women.
Heyzer then undertook extensive missions to countries affected by conflicts. With this, she engaged with women and a range of stakeholders. Those stakeholders include civil society, youth, and also faith-based organizations.
ASEAN TIME
Heyzer worked with ASEAN, the Government of Myanmar, and the UN then. During 2008-2009, she helped those organizations in the recovery efforts, following Cyclone Nargis then. Heyzer also led a dialogue with Myanmar’s leaders on development, and also poverty reduction.
ADVISER IN TIMOR LESTE
Heyzer was also the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Timor-Leste. She worked there from 2013 to 2015. In Timor-Leste, she worked to support peace-building, state-building, and also sustainable development.
