LAURO LIBOON BAJA (PHILIPPINES) CHAIRMAN OF SIXTH (LEGAL) COMMITTEE

Biographical Note

LAURO LIBOON BAJA (PHILIPPINES) CHAIRMAN OF SIXTH (LEGAL) COMMITTEE

            Lauro Liboon Baja Jr. (Philippines) was elected Chairman of the Sixth Committee (Legal) by the General Assembly on 6 June.

Mr. Baja is the Permanent Representative of his Mission to the United Nations.  Prior to assuming his post in May, he served as the Senior Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs for his country from 1998.  Other posts he has held in his country’s Foreign Affairs Department include Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs (1993-1997); Chief Coordinator and Special Assistant to the Secretary (1980-1985); Chief of the Treaties Division (1965-1966); and Legal Officer from 1962 to 1964.

In the international arena, Mr. Baja has served as his country’s Ambassador to Italy (1997-1998) and to Brazil (1986-1993).  From 1977 to 1979, he was Executive Director of the Office of United Nations and Other International Organizations.  He served at his country’s Mission to the United Nations in New York from 1973 to 1977 and at the Philippine Embassy in London from 1967 to 1972. 

Mr. Baja’s legal expertise includes the drafting and negotiation of statements on regional cooperation.  His work for the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) included the ASEAN Joint Declaration Against Terrorism for the 2000 ASEAN Summit.  He has represented his country at diplomatic conferences, including the Rome conference establishing the International Criminal Court; has participated in United Nations meetings, such as the Commission on International Trade Law; and has served in senior official capacities in ASEAN forums and meetings of the Non-aligned Movement.  His work has been recognized through awards from his country, Italy and Brazil. 

Mr. Baja received a Bachelor of Laws Degree and a Bachelor of Science in Jurisprudence from the University of the Philippines.  He completed a Foreign Service Course at Oxford University. 

He is married to Norma Castro Baja, and has a daughter and son.

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*     This supercedes Press Release BIO/3493 issued 21 May 2003.