UN: Senegalese Djibril Diallo appointed chief of staff to the president of the 81st General Assembly

Senegal will be represented at the heart of upcoming major United Nations decisions. Dr. Djibril Diallo has been appointed Chief of Staff to H.E. Khalilur Rahman, President-elect of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

This appointment entrusts the senior Senegalese official with the coordination of the Office of the President of the General Assembly, as well as supporting its priorities during his term. He will also be responsible for dialogue with the 193 Member States, the UN Secretary-General, and the various entities of the UN system.

A strategic session for the United Nations

The 81st session, which will open on September 8, 2026 in New York, will be held in an international context marked by numerous crises and debates on the reform of the organization.

It will also be an important step in the selection process for the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. Among the announced candidates is former Senegalese President Macky Sall.

This appointment marks Dr. Djibril Diallo's return to an institution he knows well. He has previously served as spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly and as senior advisor to several of his predecessors.

With over 35 years of experience in the United Nations system, he has worked for several agencies, including UNAIDS, UNDP, UNICEF, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. He also headed the United Nations Office for Sport for Development and Peace in New York.

Originally from Kolda, Dr. Diallo studied in Ziguinchor and then at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, before obtaining a doctorate from the University of London. He will soon be moving to New York to take up his new position.