The Executive Director of the New York University Center on International Cooperation (CIC) is Martin Kimani, the former Kenyan Permanent Representative to the UN. This change comes after he abruptly left his role as Kenya’s ambassador to the United Nations. Kimani will start working at the CIC on June 3, 2024.
With much expertise in crisis management and international diplomacy, Kimani’s appointment highlights his capacity to contribute to the CIC’s goal. He is the perfect choice to lead the CIC during increased geopolitical tensions because of his stint at the UN and his experience promoting peace, justice, equality, and inclusion worldwide.
The outgoing executive director, Cliffe, voiced confidence in Kimani’s abilities in light of his hiring. Kimani’s ability to forge connections and spot possibilities to support multilateral initiatives was mentioned. Cliffe highlighted the potential advantages of having Kimani as a leader for the CIC, the UN, and foreign financial organizations.
Kimani acknowledged that leading an organization that is well-known for its contributions to the world was an honour and expressed his thanks for the chance to join NYU’s Center on International Cooperation. To properly handle the world’s challenges, he emphasized the critical moment he takes on this responsibility and the urgent necessity for strong and ambitious multilateral collaboration. Kimani expressed his gratitude to NYU for giving him the duty of utilizing the CIC’s experience in creating ground-breaking solutions and promoting significant worldwide change.
A non-profit research centre housed inside NYU’s Arts and Science division, the CIC promotes global collaboration to avert disasters and promote equity, inclusivity, and justice. The CIC, a preeminent international think tank on multilateralism, is crucial in establishing programs and policies to tackle intricate global problems.
President William Ruto nominated Erastus Lokaale, the previous Speaker of the Turkana County Assembly, to succeed Kimani, and Kimani resigned from his UN position. Kimani, Kenya’s permanent representative to the UN since December 2020, was appointed during a significant phase of Kenya’s worldwide diplomatic engagement by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Kimani held positions as Special Envoy for Countering Violent Extremism in Kenya and Director of the National Counter Terrorism Center before joining the UN. His prior UN experience, which included positions at UNEP and UN-Habitat, the UN Environment Programme, and the UN Human Settlements Programme, highlights his enduring dedication to international cooperation and diplomacy.
In conclusion, Martin Kimani’s selection to the position of Executive Director of the CIC represents a new phase in his illustrious career, one that will be characterized by a persistent commitment to promoting global cooperation and tackling urgent issues. Kimani’s experience and vision are well-positioned to significantly impact the CIC’s mission and the larger field of international cooperation and diplomacy as he takes on this leadership role.