Geneva – “The decision of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to submit to the General Assembly the appointment of Filippo Grandi as High Commissioner for Refugees is a source of great satisfaction for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Italy as a whole. I salute the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s choice, which is a recognition of the skills that Grandi demonstrated in the management of humanitarian issues, especially in his last tenure as Commissioner General of UNRWA, and the commitment that Italy has maintained over the years in the cause of refugees,” with these words, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Gentiloni expressed his satisfaction for the appointment of Grandi to the post of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The General Assembly of the United Nations now has to confirm the appointment. “We strongly supported the candidacy of Filippo Grandi – added Gentiloni – because it is fully consistent with the priority that Italy attaches to the respect of human dignity and the need to deal quickly and effectively with the many humanitarian challenges that the United Nations must address. We have long been at the forefront of these challenges, committed to saving lives through relief operations conducted in the Mediterranean Sea. I bid good luck to Grandi in this new stage of his career, and assure Italy’s full support to UNHCR operations,” concluded the Minister. (9Colonne)
