UNHQ, New York — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres made a significant announcement today, revealing the appointment of Ms. Sigrid Kaag of the Netherlands to the position of Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza. This appointment, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2720 (2023), entrusts Ms. Kaag with the vital responsibilities of facilitating, coordinating, monitoring, and verifying humanitarian relief consignments destined for Gaza.
In her new role, Ms. Kaag will play a pivotal role in establishing a United Nations mechanism aimed at expediting the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza through States not directly involved in the conflict. The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) will provide crucial support to Ms. Kaag as she undertakes these responsibilities. Her official assignment is set to commence on January 8, 2024.
In response to a question posed by ATN directed to the UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephan Dujarric, concerning Ms. Kaag's marriage to her husband, Anis al-Qaq, a dentist and Palestinian national from Jerusalem, who previously served as a deputy minister under Yasser Arafat in the 1990s and as the Palestinian representative to Switzerland, the Secretary-General addressed the current backdrop of heightened aggression and diplomatic tensions. In the face of unprecedented diplomatic behavior by Israel's Permanent Representative to the U.N., Guterres emphasized the expectation for all concerned member states to collaborate with Ms. Kaag in a spirit of cooperation and efficiency. The Secretary-General remains committed to navigating this challenging terrain with diplomacy and international cooperation as guiding principles.
In her new role, Ms. Kaag will play a pivotal role in establishing a United Nations mechanism aimed at expediting the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza through States not directly involved in the conflict. The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) will provide crucial support to Ms. Kaag as she undertakes these responsibilities. Her official assignment is set to commence on January 8, 2024.
In response to a question posed by ATN directed to the UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephan Dujarric, concerning Ms. Kaag's marriage to her husband, Anis al-Qaq, a dentist and Palestinian national from Jerusalem, who previously served as a deputy minister under Yasser Arafat in the 1990s and as the Palestinian representative to Switzerland, the Secretary-General addressed the current backdrop of heightened aggression and diplomatic tensions. In the face of unprecedented diplomatic behavior by Israel's Permanent Representative to the U.N., Guterres emphasized the expectation for all concerned member states to collaborate with Ms. Kaag in a spirit of cooperation and efficiency. The Secretary-General remains committed to navigating this challenging terrain with diplomacy and international cooperation as guiding principles.
