The Secretary-General congratulated Mr. Robert Orr, Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Planning, on his appointment as Dean of the School of Public Policy, University of Maryland, starting October 2014.

The Secretary-General expressed his deep gratitude for Mr. Orr’s service and leadership over the last 10 years. “Robert Orr has been instrumental in defining new roles for the United Nations and innovative strategies for addressing world problems. On subjects as diverse as counter-terrorism, human rights, peace building, women’s and children’s health, sustainable energy, institutional innovation, public-private partnership, and climate change, Mr. Orr has forged the strategy and architecture for a twenty-first century United Nations.”

The Secretary-General has asked Mr. Orr to continue to serve the United Nations as Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on Climate Change, to support efforts towards a universal climate agreement in 2015 and global climate action on the ground.

The Secretary-General wishes Mr. Orr every success in his new role as Dean and looks forward to his continued engagement with the United Nations on climate change.