Amos to vie for UN role
Lady Valerie Amos has been nominated by the UK for the vacant job of head of the United Nations development programme.
The first black woman to serve as a Cabinet minister and only the third female Leader of the Lords is bidding to replace fellow compatriot Mark Malloch Brown, who has moved on to the post of chief of staff to Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General.
The head of the development programme is the third most senior role in the UN.
Baroness Amos was promoted to Secretary of State for International Development in 2003 and appointed to the Lords following the untimely death of Lord Williams of Mostyn soon after.
Downing Street said the life peer was “a very strong candidate” for the job.
A No 10 spokesman said: “Valerie Amos has an excellent blend of political, diplomatic, and leadership skills and an impressive track record in Government.
“From her time as Secretary of State for International Development, she has great experience of development issues and is well-known and respected throughout the international community.”
Jan Pronk, the former Dutch Development Minister, and Hilde Johnson, Norwegian counterpart, are also in the running for the role.
A decision will be made by the end of March.
