Russian diplomat Vladimir Voronkov to be United Nations' first counter-terrorism chief
The United Nations will announce on Wednesday the appointment of its first counter-terrorism chief, Russian diplomat Vladimir Voronkov, United Nations officials and diplomats said.
United Nations: The United Nations will announce on Wednesday the appointment of its first counter-terrorism chief, Russian diplomat Vladimir Voronkov, United Nations officials and diplomats said.
Representational image. Reuters
The new high-level position has been created by United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts that had been dispersed among several United Nations agencies and departments.
"I do believe that we have a problem of coordination of the 38 entities that within the United Nations deal with counter-terrorism, so it makes full sense to have a dedicated office with a responsible (person)," Guterres told a news conference on Tuesday.
Voronkov is Russia's representative to international organisations in Vienna.
The appointment will raise Russia's profile in international counter-terrorism and at the United Nations, where Voronkov will hold the title of under-secretary-general.
The United Nations General Assembly last week approved the creation of the new United Nations office of counter-terrorism.
"The secretary-general considers counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism to be one of the highest priorities of the United Nations to address a growing threat to international peace and security," United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said after the assembly's approval.
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