Field Technology
About OICT
Providing strong central leadership, the Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO) is the most senior manager responsible for the overall direction and performance of information and communications activities in the United Nations. The CITO's overarching role is to create and sustain a set of shared views, programmes and values, and to implement innovative technologies to support and facilitate the work of the Organization.
As per resolution (A/RES/69/262), which defines the roadmap of the ICT strategy over five years, all Secretariat entities report to the CITO on issues relating to all ICT activities, resource management, standards, security, architecture, policies, and guidance.
Biography of Ms. Atefeh Riazi, United Nations Chief Information Technology Officer
On 9 May 2013, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Ms. Atefeh Riazi, a United States national born in Iran, as Chief Information Technology Officer, Assistant Secretary-General, Office of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Management.
Ms. Riazi brings with her wide-ranging experience in the public and private sector, with a focus on leading complex organizational change involving large departments in challenging environments to deliver vital business transformation through the use of innovation and technology.
She started her professional career with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of New York City. During a period of 16 years, she held various progressively responsible positions and was appointed as the Chief Information Officer, responsible for replacing the out-dated token system and implementing the MetroCard in New York City.
Later, Ms. Riazi served as Chief Information Officer of New York City Housing Authority with oversight responsibilities for design and deployment of smart building technologies and cost containment practices. She also served as the Acting General Manager with responsibility for all operations. Prior to joining the Housing Authority, she was global Chief Information Officer and Senior Partner of Ogilvy and Mather overseeing technology, applications, networks and data centres.
CITO IN THE MEDIA
Q&A: UN IT chief Atefeh Riazi on the changing role of tech in development (DevEx)
Tech Firms Can't Wash Hands of Harmful Effects, UN CIO Says (Bloomberg)
Over 6300 words closer to closing the #WikiGap (deleGATE)
Innovative tools for fighting organized crime (deleGATE)
Message from
the CITO
I believe that technology truly is an enabler for both diplomacy and the UN mandates to further human rights, peace and security, humanitarian assistance, development and international law. We in information communications technology are committed to innovation and delivering transformative technologies to ensure our colleagues all over the world have every tool necessary to succeed in their respective missions. I am honoured to lead ICT in the United Nations.
A Twitter List by UN_CITO