Swiss diplomat appointed to high level position in the UN System

The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs helps countries to tackle economic, social and environmental challenges. Its purpose is to promote development for everyone. It focuses on questions of poverty reduction, climate change, demographic aspects, gender equality and the rights of indigenous populations.

Thomas Gass will take up the post of Assistant Secretary-General for the coordination of political and inter-organisational affairs at the DESA. He will be responsible for the work of DESA in the area of development, including the follow-up of international conferences such as the Rio Conference, the sustainable development goals, the quadrennial comprehensive policy review of UN operational activities and thematic issues such as water and energy. 

This appointment strengthens Switzerland's presence at the highest level of the United Nations Secretariat. It is a position of strategic and political importance.

Thomas Gass is currently the Swiss ambassador in Nepal. He headed the economic and development section of the Swiss mission to the United Nations in New York from 2004 to 2009. He has considerable experience in the field of negotiation and mediation. Switzerland is now making this expertise available to the United Nations.

This appointment underlines Switzerland's commitment to the United Nations. Since it joined in 2002 it has had a high profile on issues such as international cooperation, sustainable development, human security, human rights and reforms designed to make the United Nations more efficient and effective.

Address for enquiries:

Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: +41 58 462 31 53
Fax: +41 58 464 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs