Jean-Paul RYCHENER

Background

Born in Dakar, Senegal, in 1953, Jean-Paul Rychener is one of the three regional coordinators for Africa and the Middle East, with a special focus on Central African countries. He is mainly responsible for maintaining contacts with IMSMA users within these regions. He provides technical and training support, assists with operational support for IMSMA and its integration. He also acts as the GICHD liaison officer and maintains close working relationships with IMSMA hosting nations, potential partners, regional UN agencies and NGO organisations active in mine action within the region.

Prior to take over the responsibility of regional coordinator, he was seconded to the GICHD by the French government, as a mine expert. He was responsible for stockpile destruction, IMSMA implementation and testing, and the deployment/training for the EOD IS Survey data collection tool.

Having served as Senior Engineer officer in the French Army for 32 years, he has a strong experience in the field and at headquarters level, including various missions and deployments abroad, including Chad, the Central Africa Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Eritrea and Ethiopia. He also participated in several UN and NATO missions, dealing with polluted areas and clearance work.