Cuba's Even Fontaine was elected chairman of the UN System's Joint Inspection Unit (JIU). It is the highest position taken on by a Cuban official within the international organization.

JIU is the only independent external oversight body of the United Nations system mandated to conduct evaluations, inspections and investigations system wide, reported Granma newspaper.

The supervision commission is made up of eleven inspectors appointed by the UN's General Assembly on the proposal of the member states after a rigorous process of consultation with all the international organizations.

The criteria to select the direction board includes the experience and skills of the candidate in the fields of administration and management, supervision and control, as well as having a through knowledge of the comprehensive system of the United Nations.

During his professional career, Fontaine has taken on high positions
within the UN. He was named chair person of the Fifth Commission of the UNs' General Assembly on administrative and budget affairs (1986).

He was also appointed by the UN Secretary General, JIU executive
secretary holding the position until 2002.

(acn)