Bernardo Sepúlveda Amor
Encyclopedia
Bernardo Sepúlveda Amor is a Mexican
jurist, politician, and diplomat.
, where he studied law at the National Autonomous University
(UNAM, 1964). He then pursued post-graduate studies, specialising in international law at the University of Cambridge
in the United Kingdom
(1966).
He is a professor of international law and international organisations at El Colegio de México
and also teaches at the Matías Romero Institute. His other academic activities have seen him work at the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE) and the UNAM.
From 16 March to 30 November 1982, he served as Ambassador to the United States of America and from 1989 to 1993, as Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Between those two diplomatic postings from December 1982 to 1988, he served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs
under President
Miguel de la Madrid
. During his time in the Cabinet, he was instrumental in establishing the Contadora Group
, which worked to bring peace to Central America
, and in the creation of the Grupo de Ocho, since expanded to become the Rio Group
.
In 1984 he was awarded the Prince of Asturias Prize for his international co-operation efforts. The following year, UNESCO
awarded him its Simón Bolívar Prize.
In 1996 he was elected to serve on the United Nations
International Law Commission
; he was re-elected to the same position in 2001. On 7 November 2005 he was elected to a nine-year period as one of the judges of the International Court of Justice
.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
jurist, politician, and diplomat.
Biography
He was born in Mexico CityMexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, where he studied law at the National Autonomous University
National Autonomous University of Mexico
The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México is a university in Mexico. UNAM was founded on 22 September 1910 by Justo Sierra as a liberal alternative to the Roman Catholic-sponsored Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) (National Autonomous...
(UNAM, 1964). He then pursued post-graduate studies, specialising in international law at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
(1966).
He is a professor of international law and international organisations at El Colegio de México
El Colegio de México
El Colegio de México, A.C. is a prestigious Mexican institute of higher education, specializing in teaching and research in the social sciences and the humanities...
and also teaches at the Matías Romero Institute. His other academic activities have seen him work at the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE) and the UNAM.
From 16 March to 30 November 1982, he served as Ambassador to the United States of America and from 1989 to 1993, as Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Between those two diplomatic postings from December 1982 to 1988, he served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Secretary of Foreign Affairs (Mexico)
In Mexico, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs is a member of the federal executive cabinet with responsibility for implementing the country's foreign policy. The secretary is appointed by the President of the Republic and heads the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs ...
under President
President of Mexico
The President of the United Mexican States is the head of state and government of Mexico. Under the Constitution, the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Mexican armed forces...
Miguel de la Madrid
Miguel de la Madrid
Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado is a Mexican politician affiliated to the Institutional Revolutionary Party who served as President of Mexico from 1982 to 1988.-Biography:...
. During his time in the Cabinet, he was instrumental in establishing the Contadora Group
Contadora Group
The Contadora Group was an initiative launched in the early 1980s by the foreign ministers of Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela to deal with the military conflicts in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala, which were threatening to destabilize the entire Central American region.The original...
, which worked to bring peace to Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, and in the creation of the Grupo de Ocho, since expanded to become the Rio Group
Rio Group
- List of Summit meetings :- See also :* Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, possible successor of the Rio Group* Union of South American Nations...
.
In 1984 he was awarded the Prince of Asturias Prize for his international co-operation efforts. The following year, UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
awarded him its Simón Bolívar Prize.
In 1996 he was elected to serve on the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
International Law Commission
International Law Commission
The International Law Commission was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 for the "promotion of the progressive development of international law and its codification."It holds an annual session at the United Nations Office at Geneva....
; he was re-elected to the same position in 2001. On 7 November 2005 he was elected to a nine-year period as one of the judges of the International Court of Justice
International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
.