Thank You, Gareth Evans

Brussels On behalf of the Board of the International Crisis Group, Co-chairs Lord Patten of Barnes and Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering warmly thank Gareth Evans for his nine and a half years of outstanding service to the organisation as President and CEO.

In recognition of his contribution, the Board has decided to award Gareth Evans the title of President Emeritus of Crisis Group.

“Speaking for the Board and staff, we all owe Gareth a tremendous debt of gratitude for his tireless efforts since January 2000”, said Co-Chair Chris Patten. “He took a small organisation analysing some 12 conflicts with 25 staff and a budget of two million dollars, and he transformed it into the pre-eminent international NGO in conflict prevention and resolution, examining some 60 conflicts worldwide with 130 staff and a budget of over 15 million.”

“Under Gareth, Crisis Group established its unique mix of field-based research, experienced policy analysis and high-level advocacy that together make Crisis Group so well-respected”, said Co-Chair Tom Pickering.

Gareth Evans served with distinction as Crisis Group’s President and CEO since January 2000. He will return to Australia in July, from which home base he will be primarily engaged in his role as Co-Chair of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, a joint global initiative of the Australian and Japanese governments. He will also remain on the Board of Crisis Group.

Gareth Evans will be succeeded as President and CEO of Crisis Group by the Honourable Louise Arbour, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and former Chief Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. She will take up the post on 21 July.