The Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and Peace Operations, Mr. Khaled Khiari, will travel to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the 66th round of the Geneva International Discussions on 18-19 March 2026. He will participate in his capacity as the United Nations Co-Chair of the Geneva International Discussions.
The Geneva International Discussions, held in accordance with the six-point agreement of 12 August 2008 and subsequent implementing measures of 8 September 2008, are co-chaired by the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the United Nations (UN document S/2009/69, paras. 5–7).
As of January 2026, the functions of the United Nations Co-Chair of the Geneva International Discussions have been assumed by the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, in line with the Secretary‑General’s UN80 Initiative.
In exercising these functions, Assistant Secretary-General Khiari is supported by Ms. Kayoko Gotoh, Director of the Europe and Central Asia Division in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and Peace Operations.