As previously reported, it is now confirmed that USGLC Advisory Council member Tony Lake is the U.S. choice to head the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF).  Ann Veneman, former Secretary of Agriculture and current UNICEF executive director appointed by President George W. Bush, steps down in April.

Lake served as U.S. National Security Advisor in the Clinton administration and was instrumental in the peace talks of Northern Ireland and the Balkans.  He has worked with the Marshall Legacy Institute, advocating for children in developing countries and has served on UNICEF’s board for nine years.

In a letter to her U.N. colleagues, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice writes: “An effective and strong manager, Tony has worked on the full range of foreign policy, national security, humanitarian and development issues at the most senior level.  He is also a skilled diplomat and advocate for peace, who has worked closely with leader and policymakers from all over the world.”