New Permanent Representative of Andorra Presents Credentials

(Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)

The new Permanent Representative of Andorra to the United Nations, Elisenda Vives Balmaña, presented her credentials to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Vives Balmaña served as President of the Andorran National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from 2012 to 2015 and was also Head of Protocol and Administrative Affairs of the Conseil General (National Parliament) from 2001 to 2015.  Ms. Vives Balmaña was Ambassador of the Principality of Andorra in Italy and Morocco from 2000 to 2001.  She was Director of the Principality’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1998 to 2001, and before that a Desk Officer, responsible for the Community of Labour of the Pryenees, from 1992 to 1997.

Ms. Vives Balmañaholds a degree in philosophy and letters from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, a doctorate’s degree in history from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, a postgraduate degree in Andorran law from the Universitat d’Andorra, a master’s degree in studies of gender differences from Universitat de Barcelona, a master’s degree in Eastern Asian studies (societies and international relations) from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya and a postgraduate degree in analysis of comparative politics from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.

A former teacher, Ms. Vives Balmaña speaks four languages — Catalan, Spanish, French and English.  She is married and was born in Barcelona, Spain.