First Retreat of Heads of DPA's Field Missions in Africa helid in Nairobi

(September 9, 2011, UNIC Nairobi ) - The first retreat of the Heads of the Department of Political Affairs (DPA)’s field missions in Africa took place in Nairobi from 7 to 8 September 2011.

The main objective of the Retreat was to review the work of DPA’s field missions in the last few years, since DPA significantly increased its activities and visibility in Africa. Participants identified areas for improvement including the need for a greater information-sharing among the various DPA field missions as well as a strengthened coordination with UN Country Teams and respective Sub-Regional Organizations in the area of peace and security.

The Retreat was chaired by the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and attended by the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General to the African Union (UNOAU), Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), West Africa (UNOWA), Burundi (BNUB), Central African Republic (BINUCA), Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS), Somalia (UNPOS) and the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL).

Participants in the retreat included the Under Secretary-General for the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), Mr. Lynn Pascoe, Assistant Secretary General Taye-Brook Zerihoun and Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for the UN Office to the African Union (UNOAU), Burundi (BNUB), Central Africa (UNOCA), Central African Republic (BINUCA), Guinea Bissau (UNIOGBIS), Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL), Somalia (UNPOS), West Africa (UNOWA).