It gives me immense pleasure sharing with all members of UNDOF the honor and privilege of being appointed as the Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNDOF. I’m even more pleased with the warm welcome and generous hospitality I have received since my arrival in UNDOF and would like to extend my appreciation to all the members of UNDOF.

With boundless commitment for the confidence placed in me by the United Nations, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all previous HoM and Force Commanders who exemplary lead the mission at a critical juncture of complex mission environment and also the members of UNDOF who are currently serving and those who have served already; your individual dedication, knowledge and relentless efforts assisted immeasurably in the UNDOF mission success.  I would also like to pay deepest tribute to former Head of Mission and Force Commander, late Major General Francis Vib-Sanziri, and all fallen peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. I would also like to extend my deepest sympathy to the bereaved family of late Mr. Philippe Rucugoza whose untimely death has been a loss to the UNDOF. Further gratitude extends to UNTSO, OGG and UNIFIL for their relentless efforts to support the UNDOF mission. I would also like to acknowledge the support and commitment of peace provided to UNDOF by the member states.

Adherence to the mission mandate will be our primary concern i.e. to establish peace and security in the Golan through maintaining ceasefire agreement and scrupulously observing, and supervising disengagement of forces. I’m confident that with your high level of professionalism, integrity and commitment towards the mandate and motto of UNDOF (One Mission, One Team, One Goal), we can excel together as a team for the success of the mission. I assure my support and guidance to maintain the mandate keeping in priority the safety and security of all civilian and military members of the mission.

Finally, I appeal all the members of UNDOF in every duty station to work together to meet the mandate and honestly comply with all rules and regulations of UN.

Together we can!