For information only - not an official document
UNIS/BIO/1156
11 August 2017
VIENNA, 10 August (UN Information Service) - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Alison Smale of the United Kingdom as the next Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, United Nations Department of Public Information. She succeeds Cristina Gallach of Spain to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her commitment and dedicated service to the Organization. The Secretary-General also wishes to extend his appreciation to Maher Nasser who served as Acting Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications.
Chief of Bureau of The New York Times in Berlin since 2013, Ms. Smale brings to the position almost 40-years of journalism experience gained in an international career that has included holding some of the most prestigious posts in the profession. She has a proven track record as reporter, editor and senior leader. Appointed Executive Editor of the International Herald Tribune (IHT) Paris, in 2008, she is the first and only woman to have held that post.
Ms. Smale went to the IHT in 2004 as Managing Editor from The New York Times, where she had been Deputy Foreign Editor since 2002, having joined The Times in 1998 as Weekend Foreign Editor. Earlier in her career Ms. Smale reported for United Press International and The Associated Press as Bureau Chief for Central and Eastern Europe, Vienna (1986-1998) and Correspondent, Moscow and Bonn (1983-1986, 1978-1983).
Ms. Smale studied in Bristol, Munich and at Stanford University and holds a BA in German and Politics, and an AM in journalism. In 2009 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law from Bristol University.
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