NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

Biographical Note                                           BIO/3378/Rev.1*

                                                            14 September 2001

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

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

Abdulaziz Nasser R. Al-Shamsi, the new Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates, today presented his credentials to Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Al-Shamsi served as the Director of International Organizations at the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Throughout his diplomatic career, which began in 1980, Mr. Al-Shamsi has held a number of ambassadorships.  From 1995 to 1999, he served as Ambassador to France.  In 1999 the President of France awarded Mr. Al-Shamsi the Légion d'Honneur for his efforts to promote relations between the United Arab Emirates and France. 

Also from 1995 to 1999, Mr. Al-Shamsi served as Permanent Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Al-Shamsi held the position of non-resident Ambassador to Switzerland.

From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Al-Shamsi served as Ambassador to Brazil and from 1993 to 1994, he held non-resident ambassadorships to Argentina and Chile.  In 1994 the President of Brazil awarded Mr. Al-Shamsi the Rio Branco Club Order of the Grand Cross.

In 1990 Mr. Al-Shamsi was appointed Deputy Director of the Department of Arab Nations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  In 1989 he assumed the rank of Counsellor, and in 1986 he was promoted to First Secretary.  In 1985 Mr. Al-Shamsi joined the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates in Geneva after serving the year before at the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Tunisia.  In 1982 he was promoted to the rank of Second Secretary and joined the Embassy in Brussels.

Mr. Al-Shamsi received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Cairo in May 1980.

Born in Ajman in 1956, Mr. Al-Shamsi is married with six children. 

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*     Revised to correct date of presentation.