Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on the Appointment of President Michelle Bachelet to Lead UN Women

Susan E. Rice
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations 
U.S. Mission to the United Nations 

New York, NY

September 14, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

I welcome today’s appointment by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of President Michelle Bachelet to lead UN Women. This vital new agency combines four separate UN offices into one stronger, streamlined and more efficient entity for women around the world. UN Women deserves a powerful voice at the UN, and President Bachelet is uniquely qualified to provide the credibility, talent and dynamism that it will need to begin its important work.

As a pediatrician and epidemiologist and the first woman president in the history of Chile, President Bachelet is acutely aware of the challenges that affect women, particularly in the developing world. As President, she was a tough and seasoned diplomat and a popular head of state who demonstrated a talent for bringing people together. I look forward to partnering with her as she works to elevate women’s issues within the UN system and on the international stage. I am confident that President Bachelet will provide the strong leadership that UN Women needs and deserves.

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