On December 6th, Mr. Jayantilal M. Karia, former Deputy Controller, Office of Programme Planning, Budgetary and Accounts of the UN Secretariat, was decorated with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by Ambassador Nishida at his residence.

At the presentation ceremony, Ambassador Nishida introduced Mr. Karia’s career, starting from a temporary position in the United Nations when Mr. Karia came to the United States as a refuge in 1972 and culminating in Deputy Comptroller, and emphasized his outstanding contribution to the introduction of new management and accounting systems to the United Nations. Ambassador Nishida highlighted Mr. Karia’ strong support to Mr. Jun Yamazaki (currently Ambassador at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN), who was the Comptroller seconded by the Japanese government. Furthermore, Ambassador Nishida expressed his appreciation to Mr. Karia for his significant contribution to strengthening the relationship between Japan and the administrative and budgetary bodies of the United Nations.

In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Karia expressed deep appreciation toward the Emperor and the Government of Japan for the conferment of the decoration. While looking back on his career, he recalled an unforgettable and precious experience of working with many Japanese UN staff and diplomats on the administrative and budgetary matters. He added his deep appreciation for Japan’s significant financial contribution to its activities of the UN and funds and programmes.

Mr.Karia retired from the United Nations Secretariat in April 2011.However, he is currently working as a member of Board of Auditors of UNDP and wishes to continue to make his contributions to the administrative and budgetary filed of the United Nations.