THAI ELECTED TO ANOTHER TERM AS HEAD OF UN TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT BODY

6 July - Supachai Panitchpakdi will serve a second four-year term as the head of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) after the General Assembly confirmed the Thai official's appointment by acclamation today.

Mr. Supachai, who took office as UNCTAD Secretary-General in September 2005, will now serve through at least the end of August 2013 in the Geneva-based body.

“I am honoured to continue with the important work of this organization, especially at such a critical time for the economies of developing countries,” he said following the extension of his appointment.

UNCTAD was set up in 1964 to promote the development-friendly integration of poorer countries into the global economy. It serves as a forum for intergovernmental deliberations, undertakes policy research and analysis and provides technical assistance to developing countries.

Mr. Supachai, 63, is the author of a number of books on trade, globalization and education, and he has a doctorate in economic planning and development from Erasmus University in Rotterdam. He was also Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) between 2002 and 2005.