Secretary-General Appoints Martin Kobler of Germany Special Representative for Democratic Republic of Congo

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Martin Kobler of Germany as his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO).

The new Special Representative succeeds Roger Meece of the United States, who will complete his assignment in July.  The Secretary-General is grateful for Mr. Meece outstanding contribution and dedicated service for the past three years in supporting the implementation of MONUSCO’s mandate.

Mr. Kobler brings vast experience in shaping international policies in conflict areas, with more than 25 years in his country’s foreign service and as a senior United Nations official.  He is currently Special Representative in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).  Prior to that, he was Deputy Special Representative with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) from 2010 to 2011.

He previously served as Director-General for Culture and Communication in Germany’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and was Ambassador to Iraq and Egypt.  He was Chef de Cabinet to former Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer from 2000 to 2003, and Deputy Chef de Cabinet from 1998 to 2000.  From 1997 to 1998, he was Deputy Head of the Foreign Ministry’s Balkan Task Force, prior to which he established the German representation with the Palestinian Authority in Jericho.

Mr. Kobler holds a law degree from the University of Bonn.

Born in 1953, he is married and has three children.

__________

*     This supersedes Press Release BIO/4308 of 11 August 2011.