Biographical Note

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

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

Atoki Christian Ileka, the new Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United Nations, this afternoon presented his credentials to Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Before assuming his current post, Mr. Ileka was Minister Counsellor at his country's Permanent Mission to the United Nations from 1999 to the present.  Before that, from 1995 to 1999, he was a human rights observer with the International Civil Mission on Human Rights in Haiti (MICIVIH II).  From May to December 1994 he served as registration official and press officer for the spokesman for the Assistant Special Representative of the Secretary-General and President of the Identification Committee.

From June to December 1993, Mr. Ileka was a human rights observer with the International Civil Mission in Haiti (MICIVIH I).  Before that, he was Vice-Chairman of the Social Committee of the Economic and Social during its

1992 substantive session.  From 1993 to 1996 he was a member of the Committee for New and Renewable for Development at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Mr. Ileka began his diplomatic career as First Secretary of his country’s embassy in Greece, from 1985 to 1988.  He then served as European Bureau Chief with his country's Department of Foreign Affairs.  He holds degrees in political science and economy from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.  He is married with five children.

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