U.N. Chief Appoints Pernille Kardel as Acting Special Coordinator for Lebanon

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday announced the appointment of Pernille Dahler Kardel of Denmark as Acting United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL).

Kardel succeeds Sigrid Kaag of the Netherlands, who concluded her assignment on October 26, 2017 after being appointed as a minister in her country.

A statement issued by Guterres' spokesperson said “the Secretary-General is thankful for Ms. Kaag’s dedication and leadership of UNSCOL.”

Kardel brings 25 years of experience in diplomacy, political affairs, international cooperation and economic development, spanning several continents.

“Most recently, Ms. Kardel served as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) since 2016. She was previously the Ambassador of Denmark to Egypt (2012-2016) and served as Ambassador to Ethiopia as well as to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti (2007-2012) as well as Permanent Representative to the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS),” the U.N. spokesperson said.

Kardel has held several positions with Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ranging from Counselor with the Permanent Mission to the United Nations to Deputy Head of Mission in Moscow, Russian Federation, and Second Secretary in New Delhi, India. She also served as the Head of the Asia Department in the Ministry.

Kardel holds two master degrees, one in international public policy from Johns Hopkins University in the United States, and one in interdisciplinary planning from Roskilde University in Denmark.