SG/A/930
AFR/1213
BIO/3669
18 July 2005

Biographical Note

Secretary-General Appoints Antonio Monteiro of Portugal as High Representative for Elections in Côte d’Ivoire

NEW YORK, 15 July (UN Headquarters) -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced on 15 July the appointment of António Monteiro of Portugal as High Representative for the elections in Côte d’Ivoire.

Mr. Monteiro has had a long and distinguished career with the Portuguese Ministry for Foreign Affairs.  He served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from July to December 2004.  He has also served as Ambassador of Portugal to France from March 2001 to July 2004.  He was Permanent Representative of Portugal to the United Nations from January 1997 to March 2001 and represented Portugal in that capacity on the Security Council during its membership in 1997 and 1998.

Mr. Monteiro was chairperson of the Security Council Committee established by Security Council resolution 661 (1990) concerning the situation between Iraq and Kuwait.

Mr. Monteiro was the Coordinator of the Committee for Permanent Coordination of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries from 1994 to 1996.  He also headed the Temporary Mission for the Peace Process Structures in Angola and was a representative to the Joint Political and Military Commission.

Mr. Monteiro has served with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Lisbon in several positions including:  Deputy Chief of Protocol, Chief of Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Director General for Political and Economic Affairs and Director General for External Policy.

Mr. Monteiro was Deputy Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of Portugal to the United Nations from 1981 to 1987.  He has served at Portuguese embassies in Kinshasa and Rome and was also Permanent Representative of Portugal to the Food and Agricultural Organisation and Alternate Governor to the International Fund for Agriculture and Development in Rome.

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