Muhammad Shaaban
Encyclopedia
Muhammad Shaaban is a career Egyptian diplomat and currently serves as the United Nations
Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management. He was appointed to the position by United Nations Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon
in February 2007.
Shaaban has acquired extensive knowledge about the United Nations. From 1984 to 1988, he served as Egypt's representative to the Second Committee of the United Nations Economic and Social Council
, the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP), and several intergovernmental bodies and committees. Between 1985 and 1986, he acted as the Coordinator of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China.
A seasoned diplomat, Shaaban served his government in various diplomatic capacities. From 1993 to 1997, he was Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg and Head of Egypt's Permanent Mission to the European Union
in Brussels
. In the following year, he served as Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs. Between 1998 and 2000, he was Ambassador to Denmark and Lithuania. From 2000 to 2001, he was Assistant Minister for Information, Research and Assessment and National Coordinator for Information, Research and Assessment. In the following three years, he served as Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs.
Shaaban has been National Coordinator for Reform Initiatives in the Middle East since 2004. In this capacity, he maintained relations with his foreign partners and coordinated with various departments in the Egyptian government as well as political parties and civil society. He also advised the Foreign Minister on various issues.
He obtained his Ph.D. in political science and his Master of Arts in international relations from Brussels University and since 2002 has been a visiting lecturer at the Diplomatic Academy of London
at the University of Westminster
. He speaks fluent English and French and has fair knowledge of Portuguese and Spanish.
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...
Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management. He was appointed to the position by United Nations Secretary-General
United Nations Secretary-General
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is the head of the Secretariat of the United Nations, one of the principal organs of the United Nations. The Secretary-General also acts as the de facto spokesperson and leader of the United Nations....
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
in February 2007.
Shaaban has acquired extensive knowledge about the United Nations. From 1984 to 1988, he served as Egypt's representative to the Second Committee of the United Nations Economic and Social Council
United Nations Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
, the United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
(UNDP), and several intergovernmental bodies and committees. Between 1985 and 1986, he acted as the Coordinator of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China.
A seasoned diplomat, Shaaban served his government in various diplomatic capacities. From 1993 to 1997, he was Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg and Head of Egypt's Permanent Mission to the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. In the following year, he served as Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs. Between 1998 and 2000, he was Ambassador to Denmark and Lithuania. From 2000 to 2001, he was Assistant Minister for Information, Research and Assessment and National Coordinator for Information, Research and Assessment. In the following three years, he served as Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs.
Shaaban has been National Coordinator for Reform Initiatives in the Middle East since 2004. In this capacity, he maintained relations with his foreign partners and coordinated with various departments in the Egyptian government as well as political parties and civil society. He also advised the Foreign Minister on various issues.
He obtained his Ph.D. in political science and his Master of Arts in international relations from Brussels University and since 2002 has been a visiting lecturer at the Diplomatic Academy of London
Diplomatic Academy of London
The Diplomatic Academy of London is the longest established British institution that provides MA, MPhil & PhD Degrees and training programmes in Diplomatic Studies and International Relations....
at the University of Westminster
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
. He speaks fluent English and French and has fair knowledge of Portuguese and Spanish.
External links
- http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sga1042.doc.htm United Nations Press Release