The UN General Assembly on Thursday approved Achim Steiner, a German who heads an international environmental group, as head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) for a four-year term, dpa reported. Steiner, 44, will take over UNEP on June 15. Based in in Nairobi, Kenya, he replaces fellow countryman Klaus Toepfer who has held the post for two four-year terms. UNEP is responsible for worldwide programmes to stop the deterioration of the environment. Steiner is currently director general of the World Conservation Union, the Swiss-based organization known for its acronym IUCN, which groups over 1,000 members from 140 countries, one of the world's largest bodies devoted to sustainable development. He was appointed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan from a field of candidates from Costa Rica, Norway, Pakistan and India. "His professional track record in the fields of sustainable development policy and environmental management ... make him an excellent choice to lead UNEP," the UN said. Steiner, who was born in Brazil and educated in London's top schools, has held various posts dealing with the environment and banking in Europe, Asia and Africa. ---SP 20 21 Local Time 17 21 GMT
