UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon has appointed Russian Ambassador Yuri Fedotov as the new head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), his associate spokesperson said here Friday, Xinhua reported.
Fedotov will also serve as the director-general at the UN Office at Vienna (UNOV), UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters here.
The Russia diplomat succeeds Antonio Maria Costa of Italy who the secretary-general expressed gratitude for in his services and commitment in leading UNODC since 2002, said a news release here.
"Mr. Fedotov will bring a wealth of senior-level experience to his new function," said the news release.
"He is well informed on the issues of the international community and on those that are on the agenda of UNODC: rule of law, policy and trend analysis, prevention, treatment and reintegration, and alternative development," said the news release.
Currently the ambassador of Russia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Fedotov has also served as deputy minister of foreign affairs.
Joining the diplomatic service since 1971, Fedotov has also served as deputy permanent representative of Russia to the UN and as a member of the Russian delegation to many UN conferences.