Botschafter | Cercle Diplomatique Magazin

NEUE BOTSCHAFTER

BOSNIA-HERCEGOVINA - H.E. Siniša Bencun

Credentials: 28.09.2023

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Born on July 15, 1978

Married, two children

EDUCATION

2008: Post-graduate course on good governance and e-Government, JICA, Japan
2012: Master of International Relations, University of Belgrade, Serbia
2013: PhD Candidate, University of Belgrade, Serbia

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

2019-2023: Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to UN, OSCE and Other International Organizations in Vienna
2016-2019: Senior Democratization Officer, MFA Secondee to OSCE Mission in Kosovo
2013-2016: Election Expert, Public Policy and Anticorruption Consultant in several SEE, Eastern Europe and Central Asian Countries
2007-2013: Project Manager on different civil society projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina and SEE supported by EU, USAID and other agencies
2001-2007: Civil society activist

Fotos: Peter Lechner/HBF und Paul Kulec/HBF

KAZAKHSTAN - H.E. Alibek Bakayev

Credentials: 11.01.2023

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Born on February 9, 1981
Married, three children

EDUCATION

2002: Kazakh Ablai khan University of International Relations and World Languages
2011: Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2019-2022: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Swiss Confederation

2020-2022: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Principality of Liechtenstein, to the Holy See, to the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta concurrently

2015-2019: Director of the Department of Panasian Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan

2012-2014: Head of Division, Deputy Director of the Department of Panasian Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan

2010-2012: Director of the Department of Strategic Planning and Analysis of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan

2009-2010: Director of the Department of International Relations of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan

2008-2009: Counsellor, Head of the Protocol of the Ministry of Economy and Budgetary Planning of the Republic of Kazakhstan

2004-2008: Attaché, Third secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Federal Republic of Germany

2004: Referent of the Department of Europe and America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Fotos: Carina Karlovits/HBF & Paul Kulec/HBF

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Born on September 15, 1972 in Kabul, Afghanistan

EDUCATION

Kabul University Faculty of Language and Literature - Kabul, Afghanistan

Master’s Degree in Persian Language and Literature

Kabul University Faculty of Journalism - Kabul, Afghanistan

Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Ishtar Women’s Resource Society - Vancouver, British Columbia

October 2018 - Present

Social work and advocacy to eradicate systemic gender-based violence, enhance intersectional feminism, and provide support for the organization’s clientele by assisting them to access housing, employment, and welfare.

Salvation Army – Belkin House - Vancouver, British Columbia
January 2018 - Present

Social work and client advocacy for access to housing, employment, mental health resources, and welfare.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Kabul, Afghanistan
2015 - 2016

Embassy of Afghanistan in Nordic Countries - Oslo, Norway

2009 - 2015
Ambassador

Enhanced bilateral and multilateral relations with Nordic Countries, working closely with the Afghan diaspora, organizing cultural events, and easing the refugee and asylum seeking processes for Afghan citizens.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Kabul, Afghanistan

2007 - 2009
Chief of Staff to the Minister

Planned and strategized administrative, financial, operational, and policy tasks for the Minister, assisting with strategy in alignment with the Ministry’s vision, roadmap, and critical priorities.

Kabul University Faculty of Journalism - Kabul, Afghanistan

2004 - 2015
Assistant Lecturer and Professor

Conducted lectures and research, authored academic papers, crafted program curriculum, advised students on academic progression, and collaborated with senior professors in course planning.

Cooperation Center for Afghanistan - Kabul, Afghanistan

2001 - 2009
Gender and Human Rights Officer

Provided civic education training, conducted gender-based research, crafted the strategic direction of the organization based on learnings, best practices, and research, participated as a member of the women’s shelters board, and served as a program officer by representing the organization in the civil society.

Parnian Publication Center

1995 - 2009
Co-founder

Co-founded Parnian - a publishing and editing center with over 30 book publications and an in-house magazine.

SKILLS

Diplomacy, Strategy, Policymaking, Policy Analysis, Writing Research, Foreign Policy, International Relations, National Policy, Gender Policy, Public Speaking

PUBLISHED BOOKS

93 Years of Media and Law in Afghanistan
٣٩ ﺳﺎل رﺳﺎﻧﻪ و ﻗﺎﻧﻮن در اﻓﻐﺎﻧﺴﺘﺎن

Journalism in Law and Ethics
اﺧﻼق و ﻗﺎﻧﻮن در ژورﻧﺎﻟﯿﺰم

The Exotic World of News
ﺟﻬﺎن دل اﻧﮕﯿﺰ ﺧﺒﺮ

Literary Journalism
روزﻧﺎﻣﻪ ﻧﮕﺎری ادﺑﯽ

ُThree Angels
ﺳﻪ ﭘﺮی

Angabeen e Reshkhand wa Sharang Noshkhand
اﻧﮕﺒﯿﻦ رﯾﺸﺨﻨﺪ و ﺷﺮﻧﮓ ﻧﻮﺷﺨﻨﺪ

Dastoor Be e Haay Dasteena
دﺳﺘﯿﻨﻪ ﻫﺎی ﺑﯽ دﺳﺘﻮر

LANGUAGES
English, Farsi, Pashto

Fotos: Carina Karlovits und Peter Lechner/HBF

Credentials: 13.01.2020

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Date of birth: 11 June 1959

Nationality: Andorra

Married to Rosa Peireto Torrelles, 3 sons

Languages: English, French, Spanish, Catalan, Italian, Portuguese

EDUCATION

04/1984 Universitat de Barcelona - Degree on Economics
10/2001 Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC) - MBA
10/2006 Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC) - Diploma on Optometry
06/2014 Universitat Oberta de Catalunta (UOC) - Master in Political Science
03/2013 Stanford University - Course of Game Theory
02/2015 Stanford University - Course of Game Theory; Advanced Applications
09/2014 University of Michigan - Course of Model Thinking
03/2017 Columbia University - Economics of Money and Banking
04/2017 Yale University - Financial Markets

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Manager Director Exxon-Mobil gas station retail (Principality of Andorra) 1987/1993
• Manager Director electronic stores Quars (Principality of Andorra) 1993/2005
• Manager Director Quick (fast food Principality of Andorra)1993/2001
• Member of the board INAF (Institut Andorra de Finances Supervisor of banking)2005
• President of the board. FEDA (Forces Electriques d’Andorra).1994
• President Executive ENGAS (GPL/GNL distribution). Member of the board of directors. 1990/….
• CEO Grup Quars Holding 2011/….
• Member of the board of director of Andbank. Member of compliance comitee. 2015/…

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

• 1987/1997 Professor in Public Finances of UNED (Universitat Nacional a Distancia).
• 1987/1997 Professor in Macro and Micro economics of UNED (Universitat Nacional a Distancia).
• 1987/1997 Professor in Business Administration of UNED (Universitat Nacional a Distancia)
• 2004/2005 Professor in “Economics Andorra’s Environments” of the University of Andorra’s MBA.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Coordinator of the “Strategic plan” (pla d’accions Andorra) for the Andorra Government. 1993/1994.
• Minister of Economy of Andorra 1994.
• Coordinator of the “Strategic plan for Andorra Economy” University of Andorra 2004/2005.
• Deputy of Parliament (Consell General de les Valls d’Andorra) 2005-2009
• Vice-president of parliamentary group (grup parlemtari liberal) 2005-2009
• President of financial committee Consell General de les Valls d’Andorra 2005-2009
• Vice-president of foreign committee Consell General de les Valls d’Andorra 2005-2009
• Member of Andorra Parliament delegation OSCE PA. 2008-2009.
• Deputy of Parliament (Consell General de les Vallls d’Andorra) 2009-2011
• Member of financial committee Consell General de les Valls d’Andorra 2009-2011
• Member of Andorra Parliament delegation UiP. 2009-2011.
• Andorran Ambassador to the Holy See. 2011/2019
• Andorran Ambassador to the Republic of Portugal. 2015/…
• Andorran Representative at CPLP (Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa). 2018/…
• Andorran Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany 2019/…
• Andorran Ambassador to the Republic of Austria. 2019/…
• Andorran Ambassador to the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe). 2019/….
• Andorran Ambassador to the UN Office at Vienna and To the Un Office on Drugs and Crime. 2019/…
• Andorran Ambassador to the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). (2019/…)

MEMBER OF PROFESSIONAL'S BODIES

• Former President of LECE of Andorra (Ligue Ruropéenne de Cooperation Economique)
• Founding member of Economics Andorra Committee. (col.legiat number 3)
• Secretary General of the Democratic Party (2019/…)

Fotos: Laura Heinschink und Peter Lechner/HBF

JAPAN - H.E. Akira Mizutani

Credentials: 13.01.2020

Born on November 3, 1957 in Aichi, Japan

Married, one son and one daughter

1980
Studied at Hitotsubashi University, law faculty
Joined the Japanese Foreign Service

1981-1983
Studied at Goettingen University, F.R. of Germany

1983-1985
Vice-Consul, Consulate General of Japan in Berlin (West)

1985-1987
Intelligence and Analysis Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

1987-1989
United Nations Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

1989-1990
Deputy Director, Social Cooperation Division, United Nations Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

1990-1992
Deputy Director, Ocean Affairs Division, the Office for the Law of the Sea, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

1992-1995
First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in F.R of Germany

1995-1997
Deputy Director, Consular and Migration Policy Division, Consular and Migration Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

1997-1998
Director, International Science Cooperation Department, Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

1998-2000
Chamberlain to His Imperial Highness

2000-2002
Director, Division for the Protection of Japanese Nationals Overseas, Consular and Migration Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

2002
Counsellor, Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary’s Office for National Security and Crisis Management Cabinet Secretariat

2002-2004
Minister, Embassy of Japan in Turkey

2004-2007
Minister, Embassy of Japan in Germany

2007-2009
Minister, Embassy of Japan in Pakistan

2009-2011
Professor, Hitotsubashi UniversityFaculty of Law

2011-2014
Consul General in Munich/Germany

2014-2017 　　　　　　　　　
Ambassador to Mozambique

2017-2019
Professor, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

2019-
Ambassador to Austria and Ambassador-designate to Kosovo

Fotos: Laura Heinschink und Peter Lechner/HBF

EL SALVADOR - H.E. Julia Emma Villatoro Tario

Credentials: 13.01.2020

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Place & date of birth: San Salvador (El Salvador), October 23, 1972

Nationality: Salvadoran

Marital status: Divorced with two daughters

Languages: Spanish, German, English

EDUCATION

2018 to present
Seminario Bíblico Bautista Vida Nueva: Master on Theological Studies

2005
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana de Colombia: Language Diploma, Legal English

1997
Universidad Centro Americana “José Simeón Cañas”: Bachelor in Law

1991
German School: High School Diploma, Humanistic area

WORKING EXPERIENCE

November 16, 2016 to January 2020
Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium and to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg & Head of Mission to the European Union

July 04, 2016 to November 15, 2016
Chargée d’Affaires, Minister Counselor at the Embassy to Belgium and Luxembourg & Mission to the European Union Brussels, Belgium

March 05, 2009 to June 12, 2016
Deputy Permanent Representative, Minister Counselor at the Embassy of El Salvador in Austria and Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna, Austria

September 05, 2007 to March 04, 2009
Chief of the Legal & Investigation Division at the Competition Authority (Superintendencia de Competencia), San Salvador, El Salvador

March 06, 2006 to September 04, 2007
Senior Lawyer-Constitutional Chamber at the Supreme Court of Justice of El Salvador
San Salvador, El Salvador

April 01, 2007 to June 30, 2007
Expert Lawyer at the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO), Products and Brand Division Bern, Switzerland

December 05, 2005 to March 05, 2006
National Consultant for Secondary Legislation related to the creation of the Competition Superintendence and the implementation of the Competition Law at the Presidential Commission for the Modernization of the Public Sector San Salvador, El Salvador

May 04, 1998 to December 04, 2005
Senior Legal Officer at the Supreme Court of Justice, Constitutional Room San Salvador, El Salvador

October 14, 1994 to May 03, 1998
Court Clerk and Judicial Officer at the Second Family Court of San Salvador, El Salvador

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Universidad Doctor José Matías Delgado
Professor. Constitutional Law and Constitutional Procedural Law.
January, 2005 – February 2009

Consejo Nacional de la Judicatura, Escuela de Capacitación Judicial
Professor. Constitutional Law and Constitutional Procedures.
October 2001 – February 2006

Fundación de Estudios para la Aplicación del Derecho (FESPAD, Programa de Actualización y Capacitación Jurídica
Professor. Notarial and Family Law.
October 2004 – December 2005

Universidad Francisco Gavidia
Member of the Examination Board for students graduating from Law School. Thesis Consultant. Graduation Seminar. Law School.
Professor. Family Law and Notary Law. January 2003 – July 2005

DRAFT LEGISLATION TEAMS

Team member of the following draft legislations:

• Consumer Protection Law. El Salvador (2005).

• Draft of the Notary Public Law. El Salvador (2005).

• Internal Regulations. Competition Superintendence. El Salvador (2006).

• Regulation of Competition Law. El Salvador (2006).

• Amendments to the Competition Law and its Regulation. El Salvador (2008).

• Terms of Reference of the Review Mechanism of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Vienna (2009).

Fotos: Laura Heinschink und Peter Lechner/HBF

Credentials: 18.09.2019

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Place and Date of Birth: Montevideo, November 14, 1958
Marital Status: Single
Languages: Fluent in English and French. Knowledge of Portuguese, Italian and Arabic.

EDUCATION

Degree in Diplomacy, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Studies of Law, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay.
“Proficiency in English”, Cambridge University.
Professional Training Course, Artigas Foreign Service Institute, MFA.

CURRENT POSITION

Ambassador to the Republic of Austria (18.09.2019)
Permanent Representative to the International Organisations at Vienna:
- United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) (UNODC)
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)
- United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

01.2017/07.2019: Director of Multilateral Affairs Division
01.2014/12.2016: Concurrent Ambassador of Uruguay to the Republic of Armenia
06. 2012/12.2016: Concurrent Ambassador of Uruguay to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
05.2011/12.2016: Ambassador of Uruguay to the Islamic Republic of Iran
12.2009/02.2011: Director of Multilateral Affairs Division
09.2009/12.2010: Coordinator of the MFA for the United Nations Pilot Program “Delivering as One”
2009: Head of the Secretariat of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
2008-2009: Head of the Secretariat of the General Director of the MFA
2003-2008: Embassy of Uruguay in Israel.
2001-2003: Head of the Secretariat of the General Division for Technical and Administrative Affairs
2000-2001: Head of the Secretariat of the General Director of the MFA
1997-2000: Embassy of Uruguay in Dominican Republic
1994-1997: Embassy of Uruguay in Japan
1992-1993: Deputy Director of the Treaties Division
1991-1992: Head of the Division of International Organizations
1985-1991: Embassy of Uruguay in the Arab Republic of Egypt
1985: Cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
1984: Head of the Diplomatic Secretariat of the General Division for Political Affairs
1982-1984: Bilateral Political Affairs Division, Head of the Asian Bureau
23.03.1982: Joined the Foreign Service as Third Secretary.

Participated in the pre-deployment training courses to Uruguayan troops in Peace Keeping Operations.
Accomplished several official missions abroad, such as:
Delegate of Uruguay to the 49 and 57 Committee for Program and Coordination of the United Nations, New York, 2009 and 2017.
Delegate to the International Conference of Pilot Countries of the United Nations Program “DaO”, Kigali, Rwanda, October, 2009.
Delegate to the XVI Summit Meeting of the Non Aligned Movement, Tehran, August 2012.
Delegate to the 96 Session of the Permanent Committee of International Organization of the Francophony (OIF) and the 31 Session of the Ministerial Congress of the OIF, Erevan, Armenia, November, 2015.
Delegate to the XX and XXI Meetings of the National Authorities to the OPAQ, The Hague, 2017 and 2018.

Fotos: Carina Karlovits/HBF

QATAR - H.E. Sultan Salmeen Almansouri

Credentials: 18.09.2019

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Date of Birth: 1/1/1960

Spoken Languages: Arabic,English
Personal Status: married

Entry in the State Service: 1/1/1978

Appointment in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 29/8/2013

EDUCATION

1979: Graduation from British Aviation Army College
1993: Master Degree in Military Sciences, Egypt,
2009: PhD in National Strategic Philosophy, Egypt

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Qatar Amiri Air Force

2005 –2013: Operation and Training Director, Amiri Air Forces
2003: Commander of Doha Air Base
2000-2003: Military Attaché, England & Non-Resident Military Attaché, France
1997: Aviation trainer, British Central Training College, England
1996: Commander of the Helicopter Division
1982: Commander of the Helicopter Unit

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

since 28/8/2019: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to Austria & Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna
26/12/2013 –2019: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to the People's Republic of China
1/4/2015 –2019: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar (non-resident) to Mongolia
6/11/2014 –2019: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar (non-resident) to the Republic of Korea

Training Courses:
Specialised training courses in the field of aviation in England, France, The United States and Egypt.

Received Honorary Orders:
Order of the Knight of the Republic of Italy

Fotos: Carina Karlovits/HBF

Credentials: 10.07.2019

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DATE OF BIRTH : Mar. 11, 1965
FAMILY : Married with one daughter and one son

EDUCATION :
Feb. 1986 B.A. in Communication, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
Nov. 1992 M.Phil., International Relations, University of Cambridge, U.K.

CAREER :
Jun. 2019 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Austria
and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna
Aug. 2017 Secretary to the President for Foreign Policy, Office of National Security
Apr. 2016 Consul-General, Korean Consulate General in San Francisco, U.S.A.
Feb. 2015 Director-General for North American Affairs, MOFA
Sep. 2014 Director-General for North Korean Nuclear Affairs, Office of Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, MOFA
Apr. 2013 Director-General for Human Resources, Office of Planning and Coordination,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
Aug. 2011 Deputy Consul-General, Korean Consulate General in Hong Kong, China
Jul. 2008 Consul, Korean Consulate General in New York, NY, U.S.A.
Jan. 2007 Director, North America Division I, North American Affairs Bureau, MOFAT
Jun. 2005 Director, Protocol Division I, MOFAT
Jul. 2002 First Secretary, Korean Embassy in the United States of America
Feb. 2001 Director, Human Resources Management Division, Office of Planning
and Management, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT)
Dec. 1997 First Secretary, Korean Embassy in the Republic of Senegal
Dec. 1994 First Secretary, Korean Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, NY, U.S.A.
Jun. 1987 Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
Apr. 1987 Passed High Diplomatic Service Examination

AWARDS :
Feb. 2006 Service Merit Medal
Jan. 2019 Order of Service Merit (Red Stripes)

Fotos: Fotos: Lisa KAPICI und Carina KARLOVITS/HBF

MOROCCO - H.E. Azzeddine Farhane

Credentials: 10.07.2019

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Born in Casablanca on May 18, 1966
Married, one child

Diplomatic Career

10/2016-06/2019: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
2009-2016: General Director of the United Nations and International Organizations
Department/MFA

2006-2009: Minister Plenipotentiary, Head of United Nations Department/MFA

2005-2006: Chargé d’Affaires a.i of the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of
Morocco to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland

2004-2005: Deputy Permanent Representative of Morocco in Geneva, Switzerland

2002-2004: Counselor in charge of Disarmament, Human Rights and Humanitarian
Issues at the Permanent Mission of Morocco in Geneva, Switzerland

2001-2002: Head of Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues Unit/MFA

1999-2000: Counselor at the Moroccan Embassy, The Hague, Netherlands

1994-1999: First Secretary in charge of Multilateral Issues at the Moroccan Embassy,
The Hague, Netherlands

1990-1994: Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Division of Press and Information/MFA

Academic Background

1995: PhD in Political Science, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Morocco

1995: Certificate in Public International Law, The Hague Academy, Netherlands

1993: Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations, Hassan II University

1992: Postgraduate Diploma in Political Science, Hassan II University

1989: Degree from the Higher Institute of Journalism, Rabat, Morocco

1985: Bilingual Baccalaureate in Modern Letters

Professional Experience

2011-2016: Morocco Sherpa for Nuclear Security Summit (NSS)

2015: Head of the Moroccan delegation at the High Officials Meeting, Commemoration Summit of the 60th Anniversary of the Bandung Conference, Jakarta, Indonesia (April 2015).

2001-2016: Member of the Moroccan delegation to the UN General Assembly

2009-2015: Head of the Moroccan delegation to the political Plenary Meetings of
The Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT)

2009-2014: Head of the Moroccan delegation at the Non-Aligned Movement
High Officials Meeting

2008-2009: Member of the Moroccan delegation at the OIC Summit in Dakar and
OIC Ministerial Conference in Kampala and Damascus

2006-2013: Member of the Moroccan delegation to the Human Rights Council

2006: Head of the Moroccan delegation during the Review of the Periodic
Report (RPR) to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Geneva

2005-2006: Coordinator of the African Group on Human Rights Issues, Geneva

2003-2006: Member of the Moroccan delegation during the Review of the Periodic Reports by the UN Committees on racial discrimination, Human Rights against torture, economic, social and cultural rights

2001-2005: Member of the Moroccan delegation to the Human Rights Commission

1994-2000: Member of the Moroccan delegation to The Hague Conference on
Private International Law

- - - - - - - -
Researches:

2017: Publication of article in “Political Theory”, research journal of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics on “Investment in youth: A strategic Choice and a significant asset for sustainable growth in Africa”.

2014: IAEA International Conference on Advances on Nuclear Forensics (Vienna, 7 – 10 July 2014) « The contribution of International Initiatives on Non-proliferation to the Enhancement of Nuclear Forensics as a Fundamental Pillar of Nuclear Security».

2013: IAEA International Conference on Nuclear Security (Vienna, 1 – 5 July 2013) « Inter-linkages and Added Value of International Initiatives to the Enhancement of Nuclear Security: The Moroccan Experience».

2012: Wilton Park Conference «NPT and Nuclear Security Challenges to Africa» (Johannesburg, 5 – 6 March 2012).

1995: PhD Thesis in Public Law: «Regional Cooperation of the Mediterranean Countries in combating Maritime Pollution».

1989: Research Thesis on «Embassies Press and Information Units» for the Higher Institute of Journalism Graduation.

Fotos: Lisa KAPICI und Carina KARLOVITS/HBF

Credentials: 14.06.2019

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Born on July 27, 1953

Education

Ecclesiastical Studies; Graduation in Theology
1980: received the priestly ordination
1984: Doctorate in Canon Law

Professional Career

2014: Apostolic Nuncio in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia
2013: Apostolic Nuncio for special use in the General Affairs Section of the State Secretariat
2009: Apostolic Nuncio to Canada
2003: Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal
2002: Titular Archbishop of Agropoli
1998: Assessor of General Affairs of the State Secretariat
1984: entered Diplomatic Service of the Holy See
He served in the Papal Representations in Madagascar, the Philippines, India and in the Department of General Affairs of the State Secretariat.

Fotos: KARLOVITS/HBF, HEINSCHINK/HBF, BAUER/HBF

ARMENIA - H.E. Armen Papikyan

Credentials: 07.01.2019

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Born: 26.9.1961 in Juankoski, Finland

Marital status: married with Juha Niemelä, two children (1992, 1995)

Education: Master in Social Sciences, Turku University 1988

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

15.7.2014 – 31.12.2018
Under-Secretary of State for Internal and External Services (Legal service, consular, protocol and administrative services and finance)

2012-2014
worked as Finland’s Ambassador to Latvia (Riga)

2009-2012
Chief of Personnel

2002-2005
Europe Information, Head of Unit

2000-2002
Adviser to Under-Secretary of State; Administrative affairs

At the Ministry worked in various positions as Second Secretary and Counsellor (1990-2000), Attaché (1989)

1989
joined the Finnish Foreign Service

Also worked in Finland’s foreign missions in various assignments:
New York (UN 1989)
Reykjavik (Iceland 1990-1992)
Vienna (Austria 1996-1998) and Tallinn (Estonia 2005-2009) as Minister Counsellor

Fotos: HBF/ Carina Karlovits und Daniel Trippolt

LAOS - H.E. Sithong Chitnhothinh

Credentials: 07.01.2019

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Date and Place of birth:
05 June 1956, Champasak Province, Laos

Marital status: Married to Mrs. Ammala CHITNHOTHINH with two children (Son and Daughter)

Education and Specials Training:

2001
Certificate, Policy and Administrative at National Institute of Policy and Administration, Vientiane, Lao PDR

2000
Certificate, Asia-Pacific Security Study at APCSS, Hawaii, USA

1987-1988
Certificate, English Language Intensive Course, Canberra College of Advance Education (CCAE), Australia

1980-1985
Bachelor, Hungarian Language and Literature at Jozsef Attilla University, Hungary

Working Experience:

April 2018-Present
Ambassador, advisor to European and America Department, Lao MOFA

Jan 2014-Mar 2018
Ambassador of the Lao PDR to Germany and Non-Resident
Ambassador to Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Feb 2012- Dec 2014
Lao MOFA: Director General of Press Department, MOFA

Jan 2007-Jan 2012
Ambassador of the Lao PDR to Japan

Jul 2002-Dec 2007
Lao MOFA: Director General of Asia-Pacific and Africa Department, MOFA

Jan-Jun 2002
Lao MOFA: Acting Director General of Asia-Pacific and Africa Department, MOFA

Nov 1999-Dec 2001
Deputy Director General of Asia-Pacific and Africa Department, MOFA

Aug 1995-Oct 1999
First Secretary, Deputy Chief of the Mission of the Embassy of the Lao PDR in Bangkok, Thailand

Jan-July 1995
Director of South East Asia-Pacific and ASEAN Division, MOFA

Jan -Dec 1994
Acting Director of European Division, MOFA

1991-1994
Third Secretary of the Embassy of the Lao PDR in Warsaw, Poland; Concurrently Charge’d’ Affairs a.i. from 1992-1993

1989-1990
Desk officer, Lao-Hungarian Relations, MOFA

1986-1987
Desk officer, Lao-Hungarian Relations, MOFA

January 1986
Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lao PDR

Decorations:
- 2 Cross of Labour in 2000 and 2004
- 1 Medal of Labour First Class in 2013
- 4 Medal of Labour Second Class in 1995, 2005, 2008 and 2012

Fotos: HBF/Carina Karlovits & Daniel Trippolt

OMAN - H.E. Yousuf Ahmed Hamed Aljabri

Credentials: 06.11.2018

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Date of birth: June 10th, 1969
Place of Birth: San José, Costa Rica

Education

Attorney at law. University of Costa Rica (1991)

Msc. International Affairs FLACSO (1996)

Msc. Aeronautical and Space Law. INDAE (1996)

Courses of integration law (Buenos Aires University) and International Organization (Geneva 2003)

Languages: English, French, Italian, Portuguese

Experience

September 2018 to present – Ambassador of Costa Rica to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Vienna (ONUV), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBT), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

July 2018 to August 2018 – Ambassador-Designate of Costa Rica to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Vienna (ONUV), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBT), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

May 2014 to May 2018. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

June 2010 to May 2014. - Minister Counsellor and Consul General. Embassy of Costa Rica in Belgium

January 2008 – June 2010. - Director General of Foreign Policy. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. San Jose

January 2007 – January 2008. - Deputy Director of Foreign Policy. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. San Jose

November 03 – November 04. – Charge d’affairs. Embassy of Costa Rica in Bern, Switzerland

March 2001 – November 2006. - Minister Counsellor. Mission of Costa Rica to United Nations. Geneva, Switzerland

March 1999 – March 2001. - Desk Officer Human Rights. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. San Jose

November 1998 – March 1999. Officer in the Passport Department. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. San Jose

June 94- November 98. - Counsellor and Consul. Embassy of Costa Rica in Argentina

1986 – 1994. Assistant and Lawyer in Fallas Solano Attorney at Law Firm

Fotos: HBF/Karlovits, Bauer und Heinschink

MALTA - H.E. Natasha Meli Daudey

Credentials: 05.12.2017

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Born: April 21, 1957

Education:

Albert- Ludwigs – Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
1992: Masters – Ethnology, Musicology and Contemporary History (concentration in German History);
Maria Curie Skłodowska – University, Lublin, Poland
1983: Diploma in music, Completed studies in musical education in the Department of Education and Psychology;

Professional Career:

2015-2017: CEO, Fundacja Uniwersytecka (Branch of KUL, the Catholic University in Lublin), Stalowa Wola, Poland
2014-2015: Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Marshal, Office of the Marshal of the Subcarpathian Voivodeship, Rzeszów, Poland
2009-2012: Consul General, Consulate General of the Republic of Poland, Cologne, Germany
2010-2012: Dean of the Consular Corps in North Rhine Westphalia, Consulate General of the Republic of Poland, Cologne, Germany
2005-2009: Co-Founder, Orenda Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland organizing Polish-German cultural and education events
2005-2006, Project Leader for International Projects, Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Warsaw, Poland
2003-2004: Director of the Festival Office, Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival, Cracow and Warsaw, Poland. Organized the 7th and 8th editions of the festival
Since 2003: Founding Member, Ludwig van Beethoven Association, Cracow, Poland
1998-2002: Consul General, Consulate General of the Republic of Poland, Munich, Germany
1994-1998: Vice Consul and Consul for Cultural Affairs, Consulate General of the Republic of Poland, Munich, Germany
1993-1994: Director for Foreign Contracts, Editions Spotkania sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland
1992-1993: Senior Advisor, Bureau for National Minorities, Ministry of Culture and the Arts, Warsaw, Poland

Other:

1992: Initiated the city partnership between Kazimierz Dolny, Poland and Staufen im Breisgau, Germany.
Organized the Polish Culture Weeks in Freiburg and Staufen, Germany.
From 1984: Founding member of the GFPS e.V.- Association for Supporting Academic Stays of Polish Students in Germany (1984), a student-led crowdfunding organization supporting academic exchanges.
From 1984: Co-Founder and Vice President of the Deutsch-Polnisches Zentrum in Freiburg, Germany
From 1977: active in democratic opposition movements, including Solidarity, KOR (the Committee for the Defense of Workers), the Provisional Committee of the Independent Professional Union of Farmers and the Young Poland Movement

Interests:
Foreign policy, history, music, ecological farming;

Languages:
German, English, Russian

Fotos: Harald Minich; Peter Lechner/HBF

TAJIKISTAN - H.E. Idibek Kalandar

Credentials: 05.12.2017

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BIOGRAPHY

Walter Haffner was born in 1958 in the city of Zurich.

He studied History and American and English Literature at the University of Zurich, where he graduated in 1985.

In 1987 he joined the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and subsequently served as trainee in Bern and Strasburg. He returned to the headquarters in 1989 where he was assigned to the Protocol Section.
In 1991 he was transferred as Deputy Head of Mission to Teheran. In August 1994 he was transferred to Washington, where he served as Cultural Attaché and by 1997 was raised to the position of Counsellor.

From July 1998 until September 1999, as the first male Diplomat in the Swiss Foreign Service, he took an unpaid educational leave to look after his four kids, one dog and one rabbit.

In October 1999 he reintegrated the Foreign Ministry’s Human Resources Department, where he was promoted Deputy Head of Personnel in June 2000. In July 2002 he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Centre for Analysis and Prospective Studies of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs with the title of Minister.

From March 2005 to February 2008 he was Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland in Berlin. In March 2008 he was appointed Ambassador of Switzerland to the State of Israel, where he served until June 2012.

From July 2012 until February 2013 he served as Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republics of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. In March 2013 he was appointed Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Turkey.

Since October 2017 he is Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Austria. Ambassador Haffner has four children and is married to Tamar Haffner.

Fotos: Harald Minich; Peter Lechner/HBF