Former Prime Minister Helen Clark received a glowing testimonial yesterday for her job application to head the United Nations Development Programme.
It came from President Jose Ramos Horta, the head of Asia's poorest country, East Timor, a recipient of UNDP aid.
"If the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, decides to
appoint Helen Clark as the UNDP administrator he would have made a very wise decision," Mr Ramos Horta said.
He said such an appointment would bring to the UN system "a formidable person in terms of her very long, rich background as Prime Minister of New Zealand". It would also add to the gender balance in the leadership of the UN system. Mr Ramos-Horta said the UNDP needed thorough reform to streamline its operations and to reduce the cost and Helen Clark was well placed to do that.
He also suggested that she had an advantage coming from New Zealand - "a small country without enemies, neutral, a friend of everybody".
"Her appointment would be very welcome by the countries that normally benefit from the UNDP programmes."
Helen Clark attended the small state lunch for Mr Ramos-Horta yesterday hosted by the Governor-General, Anand Satyanand. She also has a formal meeting with him planned for today.
