The newly appointed UN envoy to Cyprus Mr Colin Stewart has arrived on the divided island it was announced on Monday.
Mr Stewart succeeds fellow-Canadian Elizabeth Spehar in the role of Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force on the island and will also perform the role of Deputy to the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres had announced Stewart's appointment in early November.
Stewart, who most recently served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) (2017-2021), 'brings a demonstrated record of leadership and management, with over 28 years of experience in peace and security and international affairs.' said an earlier UN press announcement by the UN Secretary-General.
He previously served as Deputy Head and Chief of Staff of the United Nations Office to the African Union in Addis Ababa, and held appointments in several United Nations field missions, including as Acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Political Affairs at the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) (2007 to 2009). He was a Canadian diplomat from 1990 to 1997.
Mr. Stewart is a graduate of Laval University in Canada. He is fluent in English and French.
