Rima Khalaf appointed as ESCWA undersecretary general, executive secretary

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has announced the appointment of Rima Khalaf as undersecretary general and executive secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

Khalaf, who succeeded Qatari Bader Al Dafa, worked as assistant secretary general and director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), from 2000 to 2006. She launched pioneering projects to promote good governance, human rights and human development in Arab states, receiving international honours, including the Prince Claus Award and the King Hussein Leadership Prize, according to an ESCWA statement posted on its website.

Prior to joining UNDP, Khalaf held many senior policy-making positions in Jordan, including minister for industry and trade (1993-1995), minister for planning (1995-1998) and deputy prime minister (1999-2000).

A regular contributor to regional and international policy forums concerned with global governance and the state of development in the Arab world, she has participated in a number of international commissions, including the High-Level Commission for the Modernisation of the World Bank Group Governance (2008-2009), the statement said.

Khalaf holds a BA in economics from the American University of Beirut and a doctorate of philosophy in system science from Portland State University.

Born in 1953, she is married and has two children.

Established on August 9, 1973, pursuant to UN Economic and Social Council Resolution 1818 (LV), and as the successor to the UN Economic and Social Office in Beirut, ESCWA seeks to support economic and social development in countries of the region, promote cooperation between them, encourage interaction between member states and promote the exchange of experience.