Peter Thomson (diplomat) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Thomson
OF
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Thomson in 2017
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| United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean | |
| Assumed office 2 October 2017 |
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| 71st President of the United Nations General Assembly | |
| In office September 2016 – September 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Mogens Lykketoft |
| Succeeded by | Miroslav Lajčák |
| Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations | |
| In office February 2010 – August 2017 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 1948 (age 76–77) Suva, Rewa, Fiji |
| Spouse | Marijcke Thomson |
| Education | Natabua High School Sevenoaks School |
| Alma mater | University of Auckland Wolfson College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
Peter Thomson (born in 1948) is a well-known Fijian diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in talks with other countries. He is currently the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean. This means he works to protect our oceans.
Before this, he was the President of the United Nations General Assembly from September 2016 to September 2017. The General Assembly is like a big meeting where all countries in the UN come together. He also served as Fiji's Permanent Representative to the United Nations from February 2010 to August 2017. This role meant he was Fiji's main representative at the UN. During this time, he was also Fiji's Ambassador to Cuba.
In 2014, while representing Fiji at the UN, Mr. Thomson led the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The UNDP helps countries around the world develop and improve. In 2013, he was in charge of the Group of 77 and China. This is a large group of 133 developing countries at the UN. He also served as president of the Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in 2011 and its Council in 2015. The ISA manages the seabed beyond national borders.
During his time as Fiji's Permanent Representative, Mr. Thomson helped change the name of the UN's "Asian Group" to the "Asia-Pacific Group" in 2011. In 2014, he received the award of Officer of the Order of Fiji from the President of Fiji.
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Peter Thomson's Family
Peter Thomson is a fifth-generation Fijian. His father, Sir Ian Thomson, was a British colonial administrator in Fiji. He later became the Governor of the British Virgin Islands. Peter Thomson married Marijcke Thomson, a publisher, in Fiji in 1973. They have two children, James and Nicola, and three granddaughters.
Peter Thomson's Education
Peter Thomson went to school in Fiji at Suva Grammar School and Natabua High School. He finished his high school education in England at the International Centre, Sevenoaks School, in 1967. He then studied political studies at Auckland University in New Zealand. Later, he earned a postgraduate diploma in development studies from Wolfson College, Cambridge in England.
Peter Thomson's Civil Service Career
Early Duties in Fiji
Mr. Thomson started working for the Fiji government in 1972. He worked in rural development and local government. He was a District Officer in areas like Navua, Macuata, and Taveuni. In 1978, he joined Fiji's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In 1979, he worked for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Then, in 1980, he was sent to Japan to help set up Fiji's Embassy in Tokyo. He worked in Tokyo until 1984. After that, he became Fiji's Consul General in Sydney, Australia.
Returning to Fiji
Mr. Thomson returned to Fiji in 1986. He became the government's Permanent Secretary of Information. He also served on the boards of the Fiji Visitors Bureau, Fiji TV, and the Fiji Broadcasting Commission.
In 1987, he worked at Fiji's Government House as Permanent Secretary to Governor-General Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau. During a difficult time in Fiji in 1987, the Governor-General was the only leader of the country. After a change in government in September 1987, Mr. Thomson faced challenges. He was held by the Fiji Army for four days. After this, he moved to New Zealand and then to Australia.
Peter Thomson's Work at the United Nations
Peter Thomson returned to diplomatic work for Fiji in 2010. He was appointed Fiji's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. At this time, Fiji's tradition of sending peacekeeping forces to the United Nations was facing some challenges.
Mr. Thomson worked hard to expand Fiji's diplomatic relationships. During his time at the UN, Fiji started formal diplomatic relations with over ninety new countries. He was important in developing the influence of the Pacific Small Island Developing States at the UN. He also led a successful effort to change the UN regional group's name from "the Asian Group" to the "Asia-Pacific Group" in September 2011.
In 2011, he was elected as President of the Assembly for the 17th session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). In 2015, he was elected as President of the ISA's Council. From 2011 to 2012, he was a Vice-President of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly. In 2012, he successfully led the campaign for Fiji to lead the Group of 77 and China. This is the UN's largest group of 133 developing countries. He served in this role throughout 2013.
In January 2014, Fiji was chosen to lead the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). As Fiji's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Thomson took on the UNDP Presidency. This role involved overseeing over US$7 billion of UN funding each year.
From 2013 to 2015, the United Nations worked on creating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These are goals for a better future for everyone. During these talks, Ambassador Thomson was an important voice for developing countries. He strongly supported the creation of SDG14, the Ocean Goal. This goal aims to protect and use the Ocean's resources in a sustainable way.
On June 13, 2016, Peter Thomson was elected as the 71st President of the United Nations General Assembly. He was the first person from the Pacific Islands region to hold this important position. He served from September 2016 to September 2017. During his time as president, he oversaw the change of UN Secretary-General from Ban Ki-moon to Antonio Guterres.
To help achieve SDG14, President Thomson organized the first UN Ocean Conference. This conference was held at the UN in June 2017. Fiji and Sweden co-hosted it. Many people see this conference as a key moment in global efforts to improve the health of our oceans.
In October 2017, he was appointed as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean. In this role, he works to encourage leaders and people around the world to take action. His goal is to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 14 for the oceans.
See also
In Spanish: Peter Thomson para niños
