I warmly congratulate my good colleague and friend, Ms. Susana Malcorra, on being named by President-elect Mauricio Macri of Argentina to serve as the country’s new Minister of Foreign Relations.

As my Chef de Cabinet since 2012, Ms. Malcorra has been by my side during one of the busiest and most turbulent periods in the history of the United Nations.  Throughout, I have treasured her advice, admired her dedication, and benefitted from her leadership.

Ms. Malcorra has served the United Nations with great distinction.  As Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, she helped to strengthen the way we plan, deploy and back our peace operations.  As Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme, she was integral to WFP’s ability to reach millions of people caught up in armed conflict, food insecurity and natural disasters.

Ms. Malcorra has also been a strong voice for gender equality -- and she has proven with her own life the value of empowering women leaders.

I thank President-elect Macri for recognizing the value of UN experience, and of the United Nations in general.  I know from my conversations with world leaders and civil society that Ms. Malcorra is well-respected across the world.  I am confident that, as Minister of Foreign Relations, she will capably guide Argentina’s response to global challenges and deepen the already productive ties between Argentina and the United Nations.  I wish her every success as she takes on this important new role.