The mandate of the Special Envoy was established by the General Assembly in its resolution 72/248 in 2017, and renewed in its resolutions 73/264, 74/246 and 76/180. The Special Envoy works in close partnership with all stakeholders including local communities and civil society, and regional partners, notably the Government of Bangladesh and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), regional countries, and the broader membership of the United Nations.
Ms. Christine Schraner-Burgener served as the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar from April 2018 through October 2021. The Secretary-General appointed Ms. Noeleen Heyzer as his new Special Envoy on Myanmar and she began her duties on 13 December 2021.