Ms. Haiyan Qian

IMG_7544 Ms. Haiyan Qian, devoted wife, loving mother, and dedicated International Civil Servant for the United Nations, died on the morning of 18 February 2013 at the age of 57 after a heroic battle with cancer.

During the past 33 years, Ms. Qian dedicated her career to global public policy, governance, public administration and development. Since joining the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), Ms. Qian has served as Chief Manager of the United Nations Public Administration Network (UNPAN),  Chief of the e-Government Branch (formerly known as Knowledge Management Branch) before becoming the Director of the Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM) on 1 February 2009. Prior to joining UNDESA, Ms. Qian worked for other United Nations agencies, such as the Centre for Science and Technology for Development and UNEP’s Centre on Environmentally Sound Technology in Japan. Before joining the United Nations, Ms. Qian worked for  the Chinese Government in the area of science and technology for development and served in the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations based in New York, covering the United Nations Second Committee on Economic and Social Affairs.

At the United Nations, Ms. Qian has left behind a legacy founded on hard work, dedicated service and loyalty. Ms. Qian was a visionary leader that was admired and respected by all her colleagues and others in the field of public administration around the world.

Ms. Qian received her Bachelor of Arts in Beijing, China and her Master in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA.

[click here to read this text in Chinese]

[click here to read the thank you letter from Ms. Haiyan Qian’s family]

332 Responses

  1. Wolfgang Kleinwaechter
    Wolfgang Kleinwaechter
    at · Reply

    She helped a lot with the publication of the IGF Proceedings.

  2. Moedjiono and ID-IGF
    Moedjiono and ID-IGF
    at · Reply

    Please pass our sincere condolences to her family, friends and UN DESA colleagues too.

  3. Ayesha Hassan
    Ayesha Hassan
    at · Reply

    This is truly sad news. Haiyan was an amazing professional, and we so appreciated her efforts to meet with and work with the range of stakeholders involved in the IGF over the years. Please convey our sincere condolences to her family, friends and UN DESA colleagues.

  4. Anriette Esterhuysen
    Anriette Esterhuysen
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    This is really a shock… very sad. And as Giacomo said we did not even realise that she was ill… although I did notice that she had changed since our last meeting with her in Vilnius. I took the time to read about her before CS last met with her in Baku and she was really an incredible woman. She joined the UN at the height of the cold war. Read more about her here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiyan_Qian – it is not much but gives a sense of how accomplished she was.

    Please pass our condolences on to her friends, family and colleagues.

  5. Judy Okite
    Judy Okite
    at · Reply

    Sincere and deepest condolences, to the entire UN family, all her relatives and friends for such a great loss. What a strong woman she was, she never looked it at all in Baku. May her soul rest in peace.

  6. Veronica Cretu
    Veronica Cretu
    at · Reply

    It is so sad to have such news and my sincere and deepest condolences! 
    May her sole rest in peace, and strengths to the family members to overcome this tragic loss! 

    She will be definitely missed by all of us!

  7. Maye Diop
    Maye Diop
    at · Reply

    Sorry for this news. My sincerest condolences.

  8. Makane Faye
    Makane Faye
    at · Reply

    Please receive our condolences. May Her Soul rest in peace.

  9. Giacomo Mazzone
    Giacomo Mazzone
    at · Reply

    My deepest condolences for the death of Haiyan. She was really a committed and nice person, always available and curious and dedicated. We shall regret very much her absence from future IGF. By the way -when we met at the last IGF in Baku- I didn’t realized at all she was in so bad conditions. Just one more proof of the uncertainty of our existence.

  10. Noriko Nagayoshi
    Noriko Nagayoshi
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    My deepest condolences.

    She will be remembered her dedication and hardworking.

    Please pass my deepest sympathy to her loved family.

  11. Sima Hassassian
    Sima Hassassian
    at · Reply

    I am deeply saddened by the news. Ms Haiyan was so friendly, warm and kind.

  12. Jennifer Astaphan
    Jennifer Astaphan
    at · Reply

    We at CARICAD are at a total loss for words and shocked at Haiyan’s passing. We acknowledge and honour her consistent efforts to ensuring that the partnership was real. We will miss her and wish to extend our sincere condolences to the UNPAN family and her own family as well.

  13. Talla Kebe
    Talla Kebe
    at · Reply

    This is sad news. My thoughts go to her beloved ones and to all her colleagues. Be your team be strong.

    May her soul rest in peace.

  14. Antoinette A. Samuel
    Antoinette A. Samuel
    at · Reply

    On behalf of the Board, members and staff of ASPA, we send our heartfelt condolences. We have lost a true stalwart of global good governance. If there is anything we can do to support you during this challenging time, please feel free to contact me.

  15. SK Sinha
    SK Sinha
    at · Reply

    It is indeed a big loss for us. In fact i had never met her but certainly met her virtually during last UNPAN meeting at Cape Town, when she addressed all of us through video link, and I distinctly remember and appreciate her commitment to the cause of governance.

    We all pray that her soul rests in peace.

  16. Jessie Hou
    Jessie Hou
    at · Reply

    The sad news has just come to me and my team, the air is filled with the scent of great sorrow in our office!

    We have the privilege of knowing Ms. Haiyan and her wonderful team since UNPAN-AP Editorial Department, RCOCI became a member of UNPAN, and all of us were deeply impressed by Ms. Qian’s fascinating passion for life and dedication to the lofty cause of UNPAN.

    We can’t forget she came to our institute two years ago, and through her splendid speech, was regarded as an honest, respectable lady with great humour and a wise leader. Now I, on behalf of Mr. Wang Shiwei and Dang Qimin, Directors of Institute of Information, SASS, Li Nong, Head of UNPAN-AP Editorial Department, and Professor Wang Jianhua, convey our greatest condolences to DPADM and the whole UNPAN family!

  17. Lydia Phalwane
    Lydia Phalwane
    at · Reply

    May her soul rest in peace…We are all so saddened by her passing.

  18. Elba Cristina Sanches de Andrade
    Elba Cristina Sanches de Andrade
    at · Reply

    The Ciiiap staff deeply saddened by the passing away of Ms. Haiyan Qian
    send to DPADM and UNPAN team condolences and reaffirms its
    commitment to continue to collaborate and contribute with the UNPAN.

  19. Lindani Mthethwa
    Lindani Mthethwa
    at · Reply

    This is sad news indeed. Our condolences to family and the UNDESA family.

  20. Richard Kerby
    Richard Kerby
    at · Reply

    Haiyan, a true fighter in every sense of the word, has passed away. She has left us with her spirit, compassion and friendship. As we mourn her passing, I will remember her smile and her get it done attitude. She will be missed.

  21. Hassan Jassim Al-Sayed
    Hassan Jassim Al-Sayed
    at · Reply

    My condolences to her family and yourselves the fellow colleagues in UN

  22. Kim Andreasson
    Kim Andreasson
    at · Reply

    It is with great sadness that I receive the news of her passing. Although I do not work at UNDESA, I feel like part of the family and this is largely due to Haiyan through whom I have met you and many of the other staff.

  23. Mikael Snaprud
    Mikael Snaprud
    at · Reply

    This is a truly sad loss.
    My sincere condolences to her family to you and our UNDESA friends.

  24. Dr. Raymond Khoury
    Dr. Raymond Khoury
    at · Reply

    What a sad development for a great leader and motivator at UNDESA-DPAPM. Haiyan was a true believer of and strong advocate for equitable socio-economic development on the global scale. Her diligent support and direction for governments to advance their development agendas will remain a hallmark of her contributions to the betterment of human kind. She will be missed.

    Please extend my sincere condolences to her family and the broader UNDESA-DPAPM team on her loss. May she rest in peace.

  25. Mohamed Ali Al Qaed
    Mohamed Ali Al Qaed
    at · Reply

    Dear All,

    We have received with profound sadness the news about the misfortunate demise of Ms. Haiyan Qian. On behalf of all the members of the eGovernment Authority, please accept our deepest condolences for this loss.

    Over the years, we have worked closely with Ms. Haiyan Qian, and we were remarkably touched by her professional determination and her continuous support for our projects and events that concern the Kingdom of Bahrain and we have always valued her presence amongst us and our relation with her.

    We send our sympathies to all the UNDESA dedicated team and her loved ones. Ms. Haiyan Qian will always remain in our hearts and we will forever cherish our memories with her.

    Thank you,

    Sincerely,

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