Welcome

30 years at the United Nations Secretariat gave me a chance to meet thousands of interesting people.  Among these were my colleagues, delegates of member states, researchers, technical specialists, as well as countless people that I have met during my travel.  Each of them enriched my life, to gain a knowledge and an experience.  The life at the UN brought with it moments of happiness, but also feelings of frustration and sadness – all that is part of a life.  Looking back, I do not regret.  I feel privileged and honoured, and I will keep the best memories of my work life at the United Nations.

I have retired from the United Nations on 31 August 2022.
See also: Farewell of 29 August 2022

Three decades of working in official statistics opened for me a window to knowing more about the social, economic and environmental issues of the World.

The same month when I joined the United Nations, the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has adopted the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.  The ethical and professional principles provide for the use of scientific methods, responsible choice of data sources, impartiality and independence of any political power and a proper interpretation of results of statistical surveys, censuses and data related products.

I am, through my education, a mathematician-statistician, and when I was young I did not even dream about travelling around the World.  It was by chance, brought by my job that I could visit many countries and places and get in touch with their cultures.  And for remaining countries, I could at least learn about them through people whom I met.

Now I see the books that I have read as a child in a different light, and I understand them better, and I appreciate this opportunity.  At the same time, I am always happy to return back to my home country, where the story of my life begun. 

See also our music video dedicated to the Memories of Lebanon