Ms. Missouri Sherman-Peter, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Security of the Bahamas National Drug Council (BNCD)

Prime Minister Perry Christie said on Monday that Mrs Missouri Sherman-Peter has been appointed Bahamas Ambassador and Special Envoy to the 57th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, and top assistant to the President of the United Nations General Assembly. Making the announcement at a press conference at the Cabinet Office, Mr Christie said that Mrs Sherman-Peter will serve as Chef d' Cabinet to St Lucia's Julian Hunte, President-designate of the United Nations General Assembly for the 57th Session. Mrs Sherman-Peter will occupy the top position in the Cabinet of the Hon. Julian Hunte, who is St Lucia's Minister of External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation. Minister Hunte is currently serving as Chair of the Council for Foreign and Community relations of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and has been in the forefront of CARICOM efforts to resolve ongoing political unrest in Haiti, leading several CARICOM missions to that country. Prime Minister Christie explained that the appointment of Ambassador Sherman-Peter in the UN Cabinet came by way of the President-designate's decision to assemble his cabinet not only from St. Lucian diplomats and professionals, but from other CARICOM states as well. "The decision to second Ambassador Sherman-Peter was one my Government has considered, and made, with great wisdom," Mr Christie said.Ambassador Sherman-Peter is a talented, skilful and accomplished diplomat, well qualified for the job." Ambassador Sherman-Peter's entire career has been in the field of diplomacy. Many have come to know her as Permanent Secretary and Head of the Foreign Service in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.She was also the first Bahamian to serve in the Commonwealth Secretariat in London at the level of Deputy Director. She has served as Consul General at New York, Minister Counsellor and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and High Commissioner to Canada. What is seen as her strongest qualification for the job as Chef d' Cabinet is that she has participated in 23 sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, commencing in 1977. She served on three Expert Groups of the United Nations Secretary General, and as Consultant and Expert to United Nation Agencies, Governments and academic institutions as well. The recognition she has received for her work, includes the Award of the Switzerland-based International Council on Alcohol and Addiction for her work in international drug control. CAPTION - FAREWELL - Career diplomat, Permanent Secretary Mrs. Missouri Sherman-Peter, was feted with a farewell reception Monday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.