Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the retirement of Sir Kieran Prendergast

It is with real regret that the Secretary-General announces the retirement of Kieran Prendergast, who has been Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs since March 1997. He wishes to thank Sir Kieran for his outstanding service in that post over the past eight years, during which he has given invaluable advice on many of the most difficult issues that the United Nations has to confront, as well as conducting many sensitive diplomatic missions and managing one of the Organization's most important departments.

Sir Kieran will leave DPA at the end of June, but will remain on staff until the end of the year. After taking accumulated leave due to him during the summer he will, at the Secretary-General's request, spend the fall semester as a Goodman Fellow at Harvard University, where he will write a report drawing on his experience at DPA and recommending how the United Nations can best fulfil its responsibilities in the areas of mediation support and conflict resolution.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General is reviewing possible replacements for Sir Kieran at the head of DPA. Since his own mandate will only run for a further eighteen months after Sir Kieran's departure, his priority is to find someone already thoroughly familiar with the work of the United Nations, who can ensure full continuity in the leadership of the Department. He expects to make an announcement shortly.