British diplomat in Australia to take up aid post at UN

Top British diplomat in Australia will be moving on to take up a top aid post at the United Nations, an official announced on Wednesday.

Valerie Amos has been named the United Nation's new humanitarian chief after less than a year as Britain's High Commissioner to Australia.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Baroness Amos had worked very effectively as high commissioner and Australia planned to work closely with her at the UN.

"Baroness Amos is well qualified for the role and I look forward to working with her in the future in her new capacity," Smith said in a statement.

She will lead the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which raises funds and co-ordinates emergency aid.

Smith said Australia was the chair of a donor's support group for OCHA and donated regularly.

"We look forward to continuing Australia's close work with OCHA under Baroness Amos' leadership," Smith said.

Baroness Amos took up her Australian role in October 2009.

Previously, she held various government posts and was the first black woman appointed to the British cabinet.

Source: Xinhua