DSG Petko Draganov meets with Secretary-General, is introducedat opening session of Investment, Enterprise and Development Commission
Geneva, 4 May 2009 -- New UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General Petko Draganov took office May 4, meeting with the organization´s Secretary-General, Supachai Panitchpakdi, and saying "It is both a great honour and a huge responsibility to join the UNCTAD family at this important juncture of the organization´s life.
"I am happy to be a part of the UNCTAD team."
Mr. Supachai introduced Mr. Draganov, a Bulgarian national, to member States today at the opening session of the week-long Investment, Enterprise and Development Commission.
"Although he is new, he´s is no stranger to us. You have seen him in action for quite a period of time," the Secretary-General told the meeting. The new Deputy Secretary-General was President of the fifty-fourth session of the Trade and Development Board, the body which guides UNCTAD´s activities from year to year. He also served as Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the UNCTAD XII quadrennial conference held in April 2008 in Accra, Ghana. He steered the negotiations of the committee to a successful outcome in Accra and is familiar with UNCTAD´s activities and mandates. "Now that Mr. Draganov has joined us in the secretariat, I am certain that he will play an active role in carrying forward the organization´s implementation of the Accra Accord," Mr. Supachai added.
Mr. Draganov, who was born in Cairo, Egypt, previously served two terms as Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva. Between those terms, he held the position of Deputy Foreign Minister and President of the National Commission on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with the Government of Bulgaria. During more than twenty-five years of distinguished diplomatic service for his country, Mr. Draganov´s fulfilled various progressively responsible functions in Ghana and Zimbabwe, and also served as Ambassador to South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.
For a more complete biography, please see the UNCTAD press release of 23 Feb 2009: "Petko Draganov of Bulgaria appointed as UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General."
