NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAWI PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

Biographical Note

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAWI PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

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

Isaac Chikwekwere Lamba, the new Permanent Representative of Malawi to the United Nations, presented his credentials today to Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Lamba served as the Consul General, at the level of Deputy Ambassador, to South Africa from 2000 to 2001.  From 1991 to 1993, Mr. Lamba held the position of Diplomatic Minister, also at the Deputy Ambassador level, to France, and Deputy Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  During that time, he served as Treasurer of the Africa Group in UNESCO. 

From 1988 to 1991, Mr. Lamba served as Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Culture.  From 1985 to 1988, he held the position of Deputy Principal of the Malawi Institute of Education. 

Mr. Lamba's extensive background in academia included the position of Dean of the Faculty of Social Science of the University of Malawi from 1984 to 1985.  He also served as Associate Professor of History from 1972 to 1975, Teaching Practice Organizer from 1977 to 1980 in the Faculty of Education, and part-time Lecturer in History from 1970 to 1972.  Mr. Lamba also held a number of administrative positions, including Assistant University Registrar from 1971 to 1972, and College Registrar from 1970 to 1971.  During the summers of 1980 and 1981, Mr. Lamba also worked as Training Director and Cross-Cultural Studies Coordinator for the United States Peace Corps.

Throughout his career in public service, Mr. Lamba served in a number of academic, international and national capacities, holding leadership positions in several instances.

Among other things, he was President of the Southern African Universities Social Science Conference from 1997 to 1999.  From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Lamba served as Chairman of the Air Malawi Board.  He also served as Regional Governor of the United Democratic Party in 1999. 

An author of numerous books and published articles, Mr. Lamba earned a bachelor's degree in education in 1973; and in 1975, a master's degree in history from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  In 1984, he received a doctorate degree from the University of Edinburgh.

Married with three children, Mr. Lamba was born in the village of Nasoni Chembe, in the Lilongwe District of Malawi, on 10 November 1945.

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