Karen Pierce has become the first female to represent UK at the United Nations, UK foreign office said in a statement.

“Karen Pierce, currently Director-General Political at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has been appointed as the new UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations

Karen is the first woman appointed to this role, and is uniquely suited for the position having previously served as Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, and more recently as the Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva,” the statement reads.

Commenting on her appointment, Pierce said UK “has long been a strong supporter of the UN” and is “UN’s third largest donor”.

 She assured that UK security and economic interests depend to a large extent on a strong and effective United Nations.