Ambassador Martin Kimani was, on Tuesday, January 10, elected as President of the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Kimani was voted to sit at the helm of the UNDP board by executive members drawn from 36 countries around the world.
Speaking after landing the role, Ambassador Kimani pledged to prioritise development, enhance peace and protect human rights around the globe.
"I give thanks to the members of the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for honouring Kenya by electing me as President of the Board for 2023," Kimani's statement read in part.
He added, "Our aim is to give a political boost to development as fundamental to the UN’s other core missions to protect peace and human rights."
Kimani will serve as President of the Executive Board for a year before a new election is held.
The executive board that he will lead is made up of representatives from 36 countries around the world who serve on a rotating basis.
Kimani-led board will oversee and support the activities of UNDP, ensuring that the organisation remains responsive to the evolving needs of programme countries.
The Country's permanent representative to the UN in New York landed the new role just days after Kenya was replaced in the United Nations Security Council.
Mozambique took over the role which Kenya had held from June 18, 2020. Other countries that joined Mozambique included Ecuador, Japan, Malta and Switzerland.
In his farewell message, Kimani stated that Kenya had pulled an exemplary performance at the UN and would soon share it.
"Our work in the Security Council is done, and to mark the occasion, I am wearing the National Defense College tie in honor of the men and women of Kenya Defense Forces who exemplify what UN stands for," Kimani stated.
"In the coming days, I will communicate some of the important lessons we learned but for now, all I feel is an overwhelming gratitude for the opportunity," Kimani added.
One of his achievements while at the security council was calling out warring parties at the height of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
