The Secretary-General”s Envoy on Youth, Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi, announced today that he will be leaving the United Nations in mid-February 2017. He will have completed four years as the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. Mr. Alhendawi will be joining the World Organization of the Scout Movement as its Secretary-General and will take up his position on 1 March 2017. Mr. Alhendawi informed the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of his decision last week. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Mr. Alhendawi and thanked him for his service and commitment to youth issues at the United Nations and beyond.

“I cannot be more proud of my colleagues and partners and of all we have achieved in the advancement of youth causes around the world. Our team has grown from a start-up office to a solid team championing youth development at the UN and beyond. Together we have made significant advances in elevating youth issues in sustainable development, human rights, peace and security, as well as in humanitarian work. Serving as the Youth Envoy has been a unique privilege and an extraordinary experience and I wish all success to my successor to continue supporting youth development around the world,” said Alhendawi.

Earlier today, the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) announced in a press release that Mr. Alhendawi will join the organization as its Secretary-General as of March 2017, the youngest in the history of the organization, according to the press release.

“I am honored and humbled to be offered the opportunity to serve as the Secretary-General of such a unique organization representing the largest educational youth movement in the world. For over 100 years, the Scout Movement has empowered millions of young people around the world, and today I believe that Scouting continues to hold a solution for youth development in the 21st century. I look forward to working with WOSM”s team to expand the Movement and deepen its social impact, while continuing to create a better future for youth,” added Alhendawi.

The Secretary-General holds a photo of himself as a young scout after the meeting last week in his office with Mr. Alhendawi.

The Secretary-General holds a photo of himself as a young scout after the meeting last week in his office with Mr. Alhendawi.