The United Nations on Wednesday approved the appointment of a new oversight chief to investigate internal corruption and other possible wrongdoing.
Carman Lapointe-Young is the new head of the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services. Approval of her nomination by the U.N. General Assembly follows two weeks of controversy after the woman who previously held that job sharply criticized U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for undermining the oversight office.
Carman Lapointe-Young, a Canadian, is a former auditor general of the World Bank. She most recently has been director of the oversight office of the United Nations fund for agricultural development.
The spokesperson for the secretary-general, Martin Nesirky, says the new U.N. official possesses the breadth and depth of experience and expertise required for her position.
"Transparency and accountability are essential to the work of the organization and the Office of Internal Overnight is critical to advancing this effort," said Martin Nesirky. "That is why the secretary-general acted as quickly as possible to propose an experienced, high-profile and able successor to this important post."
Following the General Assembly's approval of the new U.N. oversight chief, Egypt's representative, Mohamed Edrees, argued that an African should have been appointed to the post because the previous head of the office was from Sweden.
Edrees spoke on behalf of the African group of nations.
"In the short time to come, African candidates should find their way to and their fair share in the senior positions within the United Nations system," said Mohamed Edrees. "In this regard, we request the secretary-general to look into ways and means to correct the current imbalance in the near future. Furthermore, geographical rotation is not solely an African issue and should be respected when it comes to the south at large."
Addressing that issue, U.N. spokesperson Nesirky said Secretary-General Ban understands the importance of regional diversity and representation at the United Nations. But he said Mr. Ban was able to explain to the U.N.'s regional groups that the search for the new U.N. auditor was "merit-based."
The head of the U.N. oversight office serves for a five-year term.