16 Facts About Natalia Gherman

Natalia Gherman is a Moldovan politician who has been serving as executive director of the United Nations' Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate since 2023.

Natalia Gherman later served as special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Central Asia from 2017 to 2023.

Natalia Gherman studied at the Moldova State University and completed postgraduate studies at King's College London.

Natalia Gherman joined the Moldovan diplomatic service, working in several different places before eventually becoming ambassador to Austria and permanent representative to the OSCE from 2002 to 2006, and ambassador to Sweden, Norway and Finland from 2006 to 2009.

In February 2016, Natalia Gherman was nominated as Moldova's candidate for Secretary-General of the United Nations in the 2016 selection process for Ban Ki-moon's successor.

Natalia Gherman was born in 1969 in Chisinau, then part of the Soviet Union but now part of independent Moldova.

Natalia Gherman is the daughter of Mircea Snegur, who served as the first president of Moldova from 1991 to 1997, and Georgeta Snegur.

Natalia Gherman began working in the Moldovan diplomatic service in 1991, as the second and then first secretary at the Department of International Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Natalia Gherman left this role in 2009, upon her appointment as a deputy minister.

Natalia Gherman assisted in the talks that led to the liberalization of the visa requirements for Moldovans travelling to the EU.

Natalia Gherman was responsible for chairing the National Committee for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.

Natalia Gherman served until 30 July 2015, when Valeriu Strelet became prime minister, and she resumed her previous roles in the Strelet Cabinet.

On 18 February 2016, Natalia Gherman was officially nominated by Vlad Lupan, the Moldovan permanent representative to the UN, as the Moldovan candidate for Secretary-General of the United Nations in the 2016 selection process.

Natalia Gherman stated that the report given by the panel that oversees peacekeeping should be closely reviewed and analyzed.

Natalia Gherman stated that member states need to ensure the immediate persecution of peacekeepers who commit such crimes, as their actions tarnish the UN's image.

Natalia Gherman was questioned about peacekeeper SEA at an International Peace Institute dialogue.