United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today that the Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security, Gregory B. Starr, has conveyed his intention to leave the position of Under-Secretary-General towards the end of 2012 due to personal and family reasons. The Secretary-General has accepted Mr. Starr’s decision with regret, and will initiate the process of selection to identify a suitable successor.
The Secretary-General is deeply grateful to Mr. Starr for the dedicated services he has rendered to the Organization and for so ably leading, during nearly four years, the United Nations Department of Safety and Security at a critical and challenging juncture within heightened serious security risks facing the Organization world wide. The Secretary-General is particularly appreciative of the great leadership and exemplary commitment displayed by Mr. Starr in the implementation of his mandate.