New York, Dec.9 (SANA) UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Italian diplomat Claudio Cordone as the new Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, with his mandate set to begin on January 1, according to information published by the UN News website.
Cordone will succeed Moroccan diplomat Najat Rochdi, who has served as Deputy Special Envoy since 2020. Guterres expressed his appreciation for Rochdi’s dedication and leadership, noting her role during key phases of the United Nations’ efforts to support Syria’s political transition.
With more than 40 years of experience in international relations, human rights and international humanitarian law, Cordone has held several senior roles across the UN system and global rights organizations. Since 2022, he has served as Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance at the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
Between 2017 and 2022, Cordone headed the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Lebanon. Prior to that, he led the Human Rights, Transitional Justice and Rule of Law Section at the United Nations Support Mission in Libya from 2013 to 2017.
He also spent more than 25 years with Amnesty International in multiple positions, in addition to serving as head of the human rights office at the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1997 to 1998. The United Nations said Cordone’s extensive background in conflict settings and transitions will support ongoing work in Syria during the coming period
