KABUL - Mr Robert Watkins, the new United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan arrived in Kabul today.

Mr Watkins, who is one of two deputies of the Special Representative, Kai Eide will also act as the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and the UNDP Resident Representative.

Upon his arrival at Kabul International airport, Mr Watkins said “I am excited to take up this position at such a crucial time. I am looking forward to working with the Afghan authorities and working with all the United Nations agencies to ensure we can build a better future for the peoples of Afghanistan.”

“The United Nations has a long history here. I am proud to have been given this opportunity and I am committed to delivering results that will make a difference to the lives of families across the country.”

Prior to his appointment, Mr Watkins was UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and the United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative in Georgia between December 2005 and June 2009.

Mr Watkins also worked at the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) for five years.

As Head of the ECHO Regional Office for the Middle East based in Amman, Jordan, Mr Watkins developed and oversaw the European Commission’s humanitarian aid policy for the Middle East region, focusing on the Occupied-Palestinian Territories, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria.

Earlier in his career, Mr Watkins worked for the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies in Istanbul, Turkey, the IFRC headquarters in Geneva, the Canadian Red Cross, and the Pan-American Health Organisation.

He started his career as a Junior Professional Officer with UNDP serving in both Gabon and Sudan.

53 years old, a Canadian and British national, Mr Watkins holds a Master of Arts in International Development from the Carleton University School of International Affairs Ottawa, Canada and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Toronto, Canada.

In addition to his native English, Mr Watkins speaks Arabic, French and Spanish.