Gaétan Roy, new representative of the World Evangelical Alliance at the United Nations

Gaétan Roy has been appointed representative of the World Evangelical Alliance to the United Nations in Geneva. He thus takes over from Michael Mutzner, who has held this position since 2012. 

In a statement published Thursday, September 15, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has announced the appointment of a new representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Gaétan Roy.

“He will build on the solid foundation laid by his predecessor, Michael Mutzner, who was instrumental in founding the office in 2012 and has since led efforts to serve as an evangelical voice, particularly at the Human Rights Council. 'United Nations man', writes the WEA.

The evangelical organization is in a unique position through this office to represent an evangelical voice within the United Nations “on matters of concern to the Church”.

The press release specifies that Gaétan Roy, 60, “comes to this position with a wealth of experience” since he has worked in the field of international humanitarian aid and advocacy. He is notably a member of the board of directors of the Association of Evangelical Missions (AEM) and has advocated on behalf of the German Evangelical Alliance and the European Evangelical Alliance before the governments of several countries.

"I strive to ensure that advocacy is a holistic expression of our faith in Christ - he came to serve and not to be served, especially asking the diplomats and politicians we engage with how we can serve them. and do so in a confidential, solution-focused, grateful and hopeful way,” he said upon his appointment.

The statement also said that Wissam al-Saliby, who has worked with WEA as an advocacy officer for the past four years, will assume the role of director of the Geneva office.

We have news! WEA Appoints New Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and New Director of Geneva Officehttps://t.co/6BlmaWla07

— World Evangelical Alliance at the United Nations (@WEA_UN) September 16, 2022

Wissam al-Saliby said it was "a great honor" for him, "to take on some of Michael Mutzner's key tasks" in his new role. “I hope and pray that I will be able to maintain the work culture and values ​​that Michael has instilled in this office,” he added.

WEA Global Advocacy Director Janet Epp Buckingham, who oversees engagement with the United Nations in New York, Geneva and Bonn, welcomed the appointments.

“With Wissam and Gaetan in their new roles, I am confident that WEA's Geneva office will provide a strong voice for our constituency. »

She believes that “Gaetan will bring a new level of engagement with the diplomatic community that will benefit evangelical alliances, which WEA seeks to serve.”

While she declared to be “very happy to see Wissam taking on new responsibilities in the Geneva office”. “He has extensive knowledge of the UN system in Geneva and is an excellent advocate for national evangelical alliances and WEA affiliates,” she added.

Camille Westphal Perrier