New York - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Mark Bowden of the United Kingdom as his Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan. Mr. Bowden will also serve as Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator.

He succeeds Michael Keating of the United Kingdom. The Secretary-General is grateful to Mr. Keating for his dedicated service to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

Mr. Bowden brings to his new position extensive experience in development, recovery assistance and humanitarian coordination in conflict and post-conflict environments. He currently serves as United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia.

Mr. Bowden previously served as Director of Civil Affairs in the United Nations Mission in Sudan and as Chief of the Policy Development and Studies Branch in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. From 1999 to 2001 he was Conflict Management Adviser for Africa in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of United Kingdom. Earlier in his career, Mr. Bowden worked for Save the Children Fund, including as Country Director in Bangladesh, Head of Regional Office for East Africa and Africa Director.

Mr. Bowden holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology and Economics from Brunel University.

Born in 1951, he has two daughters.