Nepali diplomat and development professional Kul Chandra Gautam has been appointed chairman of The Boards of RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund, a Washington-based organisation working to eliminate poverty.

The organisation said in a statement that Gautam will succeed Scott Leckman.

Gautam, former deputy executive director of UNICEF and assistant secretary-general of the United Nations, is currently active in Nepal’s civil society activities, promoting issues concerning good governance, human rights and development.

Chair Leckman, in his statement, said that he was delighted to have Gautam as his successor. “I know his leadership will help push us towards our shared goal of ending poverty in the United States and around the world,” he said.

Gautam, who was at Unicef in 1990, was a key architect of the historic World Summit for Children and drafted the summit’s Declaration and Plan of Action. He has worked closely with RESULTS throughout this time, as an ally, adviser, and board member.

“I am honoured to take on this new role as board chair. RESULTS’ effective advocacy work has helped accelerate incredible progress towards ending the worst aspects of poverty in this country and around the world,” Gautam said.