Ambassador Catherine Russell appointed UNICEF Executive Director

WASHINGTON – The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres  has appointed Ambassador Catherine Russell  as Executive Director,  United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Reacting to the appointment, Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken  extended  his warmest congratulations to Ambassador Catherine Russell on her appointment by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as the next Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

According to him, Ambassador Russell has had a long and distinguished career in public service, including as Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, adding that her lifelong passion for public service as well as her strong and compassionate leadership will improve the wellbeing of children through this crucial position.

“With this announcement, Ambassador Russell succeeds current UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, herself an extraordinary, visionary leader who has expanded UNICEF’s global impact on child health, learning, and welfare.

“My sincerest thanks to Ms. Fore for her unyielding commitment to the ideals that fuel UNICEF’s many accomplishments”, Blinken said, adding that  the United States looks forward to continuing its close collaboration, support, and lifesaving partnership with UNICEF under the leadership of Ambassador Russell.