The Assembly took this action on Thursday on the recommendation of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and following consultations with Member States.
Clos, a medical doctor with a distinguished career in public service and diplomacy, has previously served as Mayor of Barcelona – serving two terms from 1997 until 2006. Prior to that, he served as the Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Trade of Spain between 2006 and 2008 and as the Spanish Ambassador to Turkey and Azerbaijan from 2008 to 2010.
Clos has earned a reputation in urban renewal projects, as well as international empowerment of local authorities.
Based in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, UN-Habitat seeks to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all.
UN-HABITAT Executive Director Joan Clos. Photo: UN-HABITAT/CamaraLucida