Russian diplomat Vladimir Voronkov to be United Nations' first counter-terrorism chief

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. [caption id=“attachment_2715634” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] 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.