UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced on Tuesday the appointment of Ghulam Mohammad Izakzai of Afghanistan as his new deputy special representative for Iraq in the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

A statement issued by the UN Secretary-General's press office on Tuesday said Isakzai will also serve as Resident Humanitarian Coordinator in the country.

The statement said that Isakzai will succeed German Irina Voyachkova-Solorano, "whom the Secretary-General expresses gratitude for her leadership and selfless service during her tenure."

Isakzai was chosen for this position thanks to his more than 28 years of experience in preventive diplomacy, humanitarian and development situations, recovery and peacebuilding.

He is currently the Temporary Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Jordan since January 2022.