The Secretary-General has named Professor Tomas Mastnak as the Director of the Office of the Alliance for Civilizations. He will take office toward the end of December. Mr. Shamil Idriss has also been named Deputy Director of the Office and is Officer-in-charge.

The Secretary-General regrets being unable to participate, as he had intended, in the inaugural session of the High-level Group for the Alliance of Civilizations that will take place in Spain on 27 November. He will be sending as his Personal Representative, Mr. S. Iqbal Riza, who currently serves as his Special Advisor on the Alliance of Civilizations.