Martin Kimani appointed head of US research centre days after leaving UN post

The immediate former Permanent Representative and Head of Kenya’s Mission to the United Nations Ambassador Martin Kimani has been appointed as the new Executive director of the New York University Center on International Cooperation (CIC).

His appointment comes a few days after his exit from the UN position as Kenya's representative was announced.

He will take up his new role on June 3, 2024.

According to the outgoing ED, Kimani brings to the centre experience in international diplomacy, crisis prevention, among other desired qualities.

"Martin Kimani brings many years of experience in international diplomacy, crisis prevention, and the links between peace, justice, equality, and inclusion at the highest level.

"His ability to build bridges and identify strategic opportunities to strengthen multilateral action will be a great benefit to CIC, the United Nations, and the International Financial Institutions in the current period of high geopolitical tension," Cliffe said.

Speaking on his new role, Kimani said taking up the new role is a privilege because he comes in at a time the world is facing challenges that demand robust and ambitious multilateral cooperation.

He also thanked the New York University (NYU) for trusting him, to help develop innovative solutions and pursue meaningful change on a global scale.

"It is a profound honor to join NYU’s Center on International Cooperation, an institution recognized for its significant contributions worldwide. Assuming leadership of the CIC at this crucial time is a privilege, as we stand at the crossroads of global challenges that demand robust, ambitious multilateral cooperation.

"I extend my deepest thanks to NYU and all involved for entrusting me with the opportunity to draw upon CIC’s expertise to develop innovative solutions and pursue meaningful change on a global scale," Kimani said in a statement.

CIC is a non-profit research centre within Arts and Science at NYU.

It is a prominent advocate for international cooperation to prevent crises and promote peace, justice, and inclusion and a leading global think tank on multilateralism.

His exit from the UN followed President William Ruto's nomination of former Turkana County Assembly Speaker Erastus Lokaale to serve in the role.

Until the changes, Kimani had since December 2020 been Kenya's permanent representative to the United Nations.

He was appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Kimani has previously served as the Director of the National Counter Terrorism Centre and as a Special Envoy for Countering Violent Extremism in Kenya.

He also had prior engagements with the UN, serving at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).