UN appoints Pekka Haavisto as Personal Envoy to Sudan
Agencies, February 25 (Darfur24)
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday announced the appointment of Finnish diplomat Pekka Haavisto as his Personal Envoy to Sudan, tasking him with supporting international efforts to advance peace and political dialogue in the country.
Haavisto succeeds Algerian diplomat Ramtane Lamamra, with Guterres expressing appreciation for Lamamra’s commitment and contributions to mediation initiatives related to Sudan.
Haavisto brings more than four decades of political and diplomatic experience, having held several ministerial posts in Finland and senior international positions. He currently serves as a member of the Finnish Parliament.
He served as Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2019 to 2023 and previously led the European Institute of Peace between 2016 and 2019. His earlier ministerial roles covered development cooperation, public ownership, and environmental affairs.
Haavisto is widely regarded for his mediation work in conflict settings across the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. From 2009 to 2017, he acted as the Finnish Foreign Minister’s Special Representative for Mediation and Crisis Management in Africa. He also served as the European Union Special Representative to Sudan from 2005 to 2007, participating in Darfur peace negotiations and advising UN processes linked to the talks.
Between 1999 and 2005, Haavisto worked with the United Nations Environment Programme, undertaking assignments in Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Iraq, the occupied Palestinian territory, Liberia, and Sudan.
Haavisto is fluent in Finnish, Swedish, and English.