Peter Hansen (UN)
Encyclopedia
Peter Hansen a Danish national, was Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
(UNRWA) from 1996-2005.
.
as Assistant Secretary-General for Programme Planning and Coordination. Between 1985 and 1992, he served as Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Centre on Transnational Corporations. In March 1994, he took over the post of Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
.
During his UN tenure, he has served as Chairman of the Organization's Appointment and Promotion Board and various committees and as the Secretary-General's representative to the World Food Programme
. He also served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee established to follow up the Washington Conference
in support of the Middle East
peace process.
on January 20, 1996 and took office on March 1, 1996. His term ended on March 31, 2005 and he retired from United Nations service. Hansen had been critical of Israeli actions and UN sources said the US had opposed his reappointment.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East is a relief and human development agency, providing education, health care, social services and emergency aid to 5 million Palestine refugees living in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, as well as in the West Bank and the Gaza...
(UNRWA) from 1996-2005.
Academic career
After completing graduate and postgraduate studies in political science at Arhus University in 1966, Hansen joined the staff of the University as an Assistant Professor in International RelationsInternational relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
.
Diplomatic career
In 1978, Hansen joined the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
as Assistant Secretary-General for Programme Planning and Coordination. Between 1985 and 1992, he served as Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Centre on Transnational Corporations. In March 1994, he took over the post of Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator is a high level position in the United Nations that heads the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs....
.
During his UN tenure, he has served as Chairman of the Organization's Appointment and Promotion Board and various committees and as the Secretary-General's representative to the World Food Programme
World Food Programme
The World Food Programme is the food aid branch of the United Nations, and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger worldwide. WFP provides food, on average, to 90 million people per year, 58 million of whom are children...
. He also served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee established to follow up the Washington Conference
Washington Conference
Several significant conferences have been held in Washington:*Washington Naval Conference: meeting between representatives of 9 nations with interests in the Pacific; November, 1921 and February, 1922....
in support of the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
peace process.
Commissioner-General of UNRWA
Hansen was appointed Commissioner-General of UNRWA by UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-GhaliBoutros Boutros-Ghali
Boutros Boutros-Ghali is an Egyptian politician and diplomat who was the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1992 to December 1996...
on January 20, 1996 and took office on March 1, 1996. His term ended on March 31, 2005 and he retired from United Nations service. Hansen had been critical of Israeli actions and UN sources said the US had opposed his reappointment.
See also
- List of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East employees