Former Kenya’s Permanent Representative and Head of Mission to the United Nations Ambassador Martin Kimani has resigned from the New York University Center on International Cooperation (CIC).
Ambassador Kimani announced his decision to resign as the New York University CIC’s Executive Director in a statement on January 23, 2025, barely 7 months after he assumed the role.
While announcing his resignation, he said that his short tenure at the research center provided valuable insights into the opportunities and complexities of dynamics at the New York University (NYU) Arts and Science.
“After careful reflection, I’ve decided to step down as Executive Director of NYU’s Center on International Cooperation. While my tenure was shorter than anticipated, it provided valuable insights into the opportunities and complexities of dynamics at NYU Arts and Science during a period of institutional transition,” read part of the statement.
This decision allows him to refocus on the core issues that have defined his career, according to him.
“I look forward to sharing more about that soon.”
Ambassador Martin Kimani rise to the top
Prior to his appointment as the New York University CIC Executive Director in June 2024, Martin Kimani served as the Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations (UN) From 2021.
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He held the positions of President of the Security Council in October 2021 and President of the UN Development Program (UNDP), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Board in 2023 during his tenure as a Permanent Representative.
Prior to this role, he was Kenya’s Special Envoy for Countering Violent Extremism and the Director of the National Counter Terrorism Centre.
Martin Kimani has also served as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat.
Additionally, he directed the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN) and has experience in political risk analysis, bond and currency sales, and trading.
Ambassador Kimani holds a Master of Arts degree and PhD in War Studies from King’s College London and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of New Hampshire.
His distinguished service to Kenya has been recognized with two senior presidential honors: Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) and Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS).
The former Permanent Representative was awarded the German Africa Foundation’s Honorary Award in 2022 and is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
New York University Center on International Cooperation announces new Director
CIC while confirming Ambassador Kimani’s resignation as Executive Director said that his leadership over the past months has been deeply valued.
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Further, the Cooperation said that its community is honored that the Kenyan diplomat will continue to support the organization as a Distinguished Fellow.
“In this advisory role, he will provide strategic guidance and contribute his extensive expertise to CIC’s ongoing mission,” said CIC.
Following Kimani’s resignation, the New York University CIC announced the appointment of Professor Paul Smoke as the new Acting Director.
Professor Smoke, a globally recognized expert in applied public finance and governance with a particular focus on decentralization and intergovernmental relations, has a distinguished career spanning academia, policy, and advisory roles.
“I’m very pleased to see Professor Paul Smoke stepping in as interim Director. NYU Center on International Cooperation remains uniquely positioned to strengthen multilateralism and international cooperation – at a time when UN and other multilateral partners need rigorous research to navigate today’s challenges,” Ambassador Kimani added.
The Center on International Cooperation (CIC) at NYU Arts & Science is a think tank and research center that, for over two decades, has been a leader in applied policy, connecting politics, security, justice, development, and humanitarian issues.
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