Biographical Note

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF LIBERIA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

(Based on information received from the Protocol and Liaison Service.)

Lami Kawah, the new Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations, presented his credentials to Secretary-General Kofi Annan today.

Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Kawah served as his country's Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs and, from 1998 to 1999, its Minister of Transport. 

An international economist, he had served in Liberian planning and economic ministries since the mid-1960s.  In 1968, he became Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs.  From 1975 to 1977, he was Deputy Minister for Planning and Economic Affairs.

In addition to his government service, Mr. Kawah has worked extensively with multinational iron ore mining ventures in West Africa, including, from 1977 to 1989, management and consulting positions in the Lamco Joint Venture Company, a mining operation owned by Granges International Mining, Bethlehem Steel, and the Government of Liberia.  He also held management and consulting positions with the African Mining Corporation from 1990 to 1997.

Mr. Kawah holds an M.A.L.D. degree international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, United States, and completed all requirements, except the dissertation, for the Ph.D. in economic development from Boston University.  He received a Bachelor of Science from Liberia's Cuttington College in 1960.

Born in Robertsport, Liberia, on 14 May 1936, Mr. Kawah is married and has

two children.

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