Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Visiting Professor of Hitotsubashi University, to be Appointed as Director of the Policy, Evaluation and Training Division of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations

July 16, 2008

Mr. Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General, has recently decided to appoint Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Visiting Professor of Hitotsubashi University and former staff member of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as Director of the Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (D2), U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
At present, except for Mr. Kiyotaka Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, the United Nations has no Japanese managerial-level officials. Japan has therefore been making efforts to increase the number of Japanese U.N. officials, in particular, with managerial posts. The involvement of a competent Japanese in the policy making process in U.N. peacekeeping operations is significant for Japan, which intends to increase the number of Japanese officials in international organizations related to peacebuilding as part of its efforts as a “Peace Fostering Nation.”

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