Ethiopia joins UNHCR Executive Committee Bureau

Addis Ababa, October 18, 2024 (FBC) – Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN in Geneva has been elected as a Second Vice-Chairperson of  the Executive Committee (ExCom)  Bureau of the UNHCR on October 18, 2024.

Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew was nominated by Ambassador Aimé Clovis Guillond, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Congo, on behalf of the Africa group. He was seconded by Ambassador Paul Bekkers, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and endorsed by acclamation by the Executive Committee.

The Ambassador’s nomination garnered full support of the Executive Committee due to his highly relevant experiences, including in leading multilateral fora, among others, as Chair of the UNDRR Support Group as well as Coordinator of the Africa Ambassadors Group on health issues in Geneva.

The Executive Committee Bureau comprises four office holders: the Chairperson, two Vice-Chairpersons and the Rapporteur representing the four United Nations regional groups.  The tenure of Bureau members lasts three years with Vice chairs taking over the chairmanship in their final year.

The Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme (ExCom) meets in Geneva annually to review and approve the Agency’s programmes and budget, advises on international protection. According to the Ethiopian Mission in Geneva, the Executive Committee also discusses a range of other issues with UNHCR and intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.