Ms. Judy Cheng-Hopkins (Malaysia), Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support has been named as the United Nations Secretary-General’s representative on the Interpeace Governing Council.

In a letter received by the Chairman of the Interpeace Governing Council, Martti Ahtisaari, the Office of the Secretary-General stated that Ms. Cheng-Hopkins ‘will bring a unique perspective and make an important contribution to the Council.’

The Peacebuilding Support Office was set up in 2006 to support the newly established Peacebuilding Commission in the objective to help countries coming out of conflict achieve sustainable peace.  With over 30 years experience in key United Nations organizations working on humanitarian, post-conflict, peacebuilding and development issues, Ms. Cheng-Hopkins is particularly well-positioned to move the Secretary-General’s peacebuilding agenda forward.  She also brings the necessary blend of managerial acumen and energetic leadership required.

Judy Cheng-Hopkins was until recently the Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees in charge of Operations (2006-2009) in over 118 countries around the world, including the voluntary return and reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons.

Previously she served with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in several senior and progressively responsible roles, notably as Director of the Bureau for Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)/Balkans in WFP (1997-2000) and as Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Africa Bureau in UNDP (2002-2004).  Prior to that Ms. Judy Chen-Hopkins spent a decade in Africa with UNDP in Zambia (1982-1988) and Kenya (1988-1992).  She also served as Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Capital Development Fund (1993-1997).

Ms. Cheng-Hopkins received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Beloit College in the United States (1976), and a master's degree in economic development from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (1978).  She has also received diplomas from l’Université d’Haute Bretagne in France and Harvard University.

Ms. Cheng-Hopkins will be formally welcomed to the Interpeace Governing Council on Friday, 4 December 2009.