Conrod C. Hunte, Antigua and Barbuda’s former Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, has been elected to chair a significant United Nations body located in Geneva, Switzerland.

Hunte will lead the United Nations’ Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), which serves as the only independent external oversight body within the UN system, tasked with conducting system-wide evaluations and inspections.

As chair, Hunte will ensure the JIU maintains its commitment to optimizing the use of resources across the UN system while enhancing the efficiency of its administrative and financial operations. The Unit is also focused on identifying best practices, proposing benchmarks, and facilitating information sharing throughout the system.

Inspector Hunte was elected during the Winter Session meeting of the JIU on December 3, alongside Iraq’s Inspector Mohanad Al-Musawi, who was elected Vice-Chair. His election coincides with a pivotal moment as the JIU approaches its 60th anniversary.

With nearly four decades of experience in multilateral organizations, Hunte brings a wealth of knowledge to the JIU. In addition to his role at the Antigua and Barbuda Mission, he has served as Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency. He has chaired both the Group of 77 and China in the UN Fifth Committee and the Alliance of Small Island States at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties. Additionally, he has held the position of Vice-Chair of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions.

Since joining the JIU in 2023, Inspector Hunte has contributed to focused reviews regarding the management and administration of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Environment Programme. He also authored a report on the governance and oversight of Executive Boards of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS, UNICEF, and UN-Women, as well as coauthored a report on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse across the UN system.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Walton Webson, has congratulated Ambassador Hunte, calling his election as chair of the JIU a proud moment for both Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean region, highlighting Hunte’s distinguished career in multilateral diplomacy.

“Ambassador Hunte’s election is a clear demonstration of Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing contribution to strengthening accountability and good governance within the UN system,” Ambassador Webson stated.