[ad_1]
Breaking News Emails
Receive last minute alerts and special reports. News and stories that matter, delivered the mornings of the week.
By Reuters
Erik Solheim, head of the United Nations environment in the United States, announced Tuesday his resignation after receiving a final audit of his official trip.
A draft of the report revealed that he had traveled for 529 days on the 668 audited days, spending $ 488,518 regardless of the rules, the British Guardian newspaper reported in September.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has accepted Solheim's resignation, which will come into force on Thursday, UK press spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
Commenting on Solheim's travel expenses, Mr. Dujarric said: "The Secretary-General, I think, is pleased to note that UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) is committed to putting implement the recommendations contained in the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) report on the travel desk. "
Solheim, a former Norwegian environment minister, said in a statement that he had decided to resign from his position as executive director of the Nairobi-based Environment Program, after receiving Saturday the final audit report.
"I am and remain committed to doing what I believe is in the best interest of the American environment and the mission we are here to accomplish," he said.
The US Environmental Program aims to establish the global agenda for environmental protection through leadership and partnerships.
Dujarric explained that Solheim had "played a leading role in bringing the world's attention to critical environmental issues, including plastic pollution and circularity, climate actions, the rights of human rights defenders. environment, biodiversity and environmental safety ".
