India's Kamalesh Sharma was just named the new Secretary General of the Commonwealth, replacing New Zealand's Don McKinnon. McKinnon is wrapping up and eight-year term.
Sharma becomes the fifth Secretary General of the organization. The first one, incidentally, was Canada's Arnold Smith, who held office from 1965 to 1975.
Sharma takes over from McKinnon on April 1, 2008 and his term will run until March 31, 2012.
“It's a tough job I'm taking over but I do so with confidence and enthusiasm,” Sharma said. “The Commonwealth is a great global good.”
Sharma's last posting was India's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.