United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) António Guterres today announced the appointment of Colin Stewart of Canada as his new Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

Stewart who succeeds Elizabeth Spehar of Canada will also perform the role of Deputy to the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus.

According to a statement issued by the UN, the Secretary-General expressed his thanks to Ms Spehar for her strong leadership and dedication over the course of her tenure.

Stewart, who most recently served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) (2017-2021) has over 28 years of experience in peace, security and international affairs.

He previously served as Deputy Head and Chief of Staff of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) in Addis Ababa, and held appointments in several United Nations field missions, including as Acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Political Affairs at the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) (2007 to 2009).

He was a Canadian diplomat from 1990 to 1997.

Mr. Stewart is a graduate of Laval University in Canada.

He is fluent in English and French.