UN chief appoints new resident coordinator for Central African Republic

File photo of Mohamed Ag Ayoya of Mali, whose appointment was announced by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday as the new resident coordinator for the Central African Republic. (Photo credit: UNICEF)

Ayoya brings over two decades of professional experience and extensive knowledge of humanitarian affairs, "with a particular focus on complex emergencies and child protection issues in field settings."

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday announced the appointment of Mohamed Ag Ayoya of Mali as the new resident coordinator for the Central African Republic.

The resident coordinator is the highest-ranking representative of the UN development system at the country level.

Ayoya is also appointed as the UN secretary-general's new deputy special representative for the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), and will serve as humanitarian coordinator for the country as well, the UN chief's press office said in a statement.

He succeeds Denise Brown of Canada who was appointed as the UN resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, the statement said.

Ayoya brings over two decades of professional experience and extensive knowledge of humanitarian affairs, "with a particular focus on complex emergencies and child protection issues in field settings," the statement added.

Ayoya has served as representative of UN Children's Fund in conflict settings including in Somalia, South Sudan and Afghanistan.