BIO/3196

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF BHUTAN PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

18 September 1998


Press Release
BIO/3196


NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF BHUTAN PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

19980918 Biographical Note

Om Pradhan, the new Permanent Representative of Bhutan to the United Nations, presented his credentials today to Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Before assuming his current position, Mr. Pradhan served as his country's Minister for Trade and Industry. Prior to that, from December 1985 to December 1989, he was Deputy Minister at the same Ministry, in which capacity he led the Bhutanese delegation to the fifth round of boundary talks with China. He is currently Chairman of several Bhutanese organizations, including State Trading Corporation of Bhutan, Chukha Hydroelectric Project Corporation and Tala Hydroelectric Project Authority. He is also a member of the National Assembly of Bhutan, as well as of Bhutan's Planning Commission, National Environment Commission and Cabinet.

In March 1984, Mr. Pradhan was appointed his country's Ambassador to India, and was concurrently accredited to Nepal and Maldives. As Ambassador, he led the Bhutanese delegation to the first and second rounds of the boundary talks with China.

In 1980, Mr. Pradhan was appointed Permanent Representative of Bhutan to the United Nations for the first time. Prior to that, he served in Bhutan's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Forests, where he had held various positions since 1969.

Mr. Pradhan received a bachelor's degree in history (with honours) from Delhi University, where he also studied political science and psychology.

Born on 6 October 1946, Mr. Pradhan is married and has three children.

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For information media. Not an official record.