Biographical Note

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF GUINEA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

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

Alpha Ibrahima Sow, the new Permanent Representative of Guinea to the United Nations, presented his credentials to Secretary-General Kofi Annan today.

Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Sow held several ambassadorships, including as Guinea’s Ambassador to Ethiopia in 2003, and Iran in 1997.  From 1989 to 1995, he served as Counsellor at Guinea’s Embassy in Ethiopia.  From 1983 to 1989, he held the same title at the Guinean Embassy in Algeria.

In 1995, Mr. Sow assumed the position of Minister Plenipotentiary, National Assistant Director of Political and Cultural Affairs of the Presidential Ministry for Foreign Affairs.  In 1996, he was interim National Director for Political and Cultural Affairs.

Also a scholar, Mr. Sow was Professor of Philosophy and Political Ideology in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Conakry from 1972 to 1979.  From 1979 to 1982, he held the Chair in Philosophy at the Faculty of Social Sciences.  He also served as interim Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences from 1982 to 1983.

Mr. Sow received a diploma in advanced studies in philosophy and economics in 1972.  From 1967 to 1972, he attended the Institut Polytechnique de Kankan, receiving a degree in philosophy and economics.

Born on 18 December 1949, Mr. Sow is married with three children.

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