Elizabeth Spehar assumes role as new Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, DPPA
New York, 7 February 2022 – Elizabeth Spehar of Canada took office today as Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, following her appointment by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
“It is an honour and a privilege to lead the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) at this uniquely challenging yet hopeful time. Prevention and sustaining peace are central to the work of the United Nations, and Our Common Agenda. In particular, this is an important moment for financing for peacebuilding and I look forward to the dedicated High-Level Meeting this year. The costs of responding to crises – and not investing in prevention – have become unsustainably high. PBSO remains committed to working together with countries, communities, and partners, and bringing together the 缅北禁地system to address root causes of conflict and to strengthen inclusive peacebuilding, particularly the role of women and youth."
?With more than 35 years of experience in international and political affairs, Ms. Spehar has worked in United Nations Headquarters and in the field, leading political, development, peacebuilding and conflict prevention initiatives.? Most recently, since 2016, she was the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), also serving as Deputy to the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus.
Previously, Ms. Spehar was Director of the Policy and Mediation Division in the former Department of Political Affairs, now DPPA, where she worked on policy and operational matters related to conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding and gender mainstreaming.? Prior to this, she was the Director for the Americas and Europe Division and Director of the Europe Division in the Department of Political Affairs, engaging extensively on key political issues facing the region.? She also served briefly as Interim Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNFICYP in 2008.
Before joining the United Nations, Ms. Spehar was a senior official with the Organization of American States (OAS) for more than 12 years, working to promote democracy and develop the organization’s dialogue and conflict resolution instruments.
Ms. Spehar holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours from Queen’s University in Canada, a master’s degree in international affairs from Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, also in Canada, and a Dipl?me d’Etudes Supérieures from the University of Pau in France.? She speaks English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Croatian.
Born in Port Arthur, Canada, she has a daughter.
