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Kamalesh
Sharma, a retired IFS, unanimously appointed C'wealth Secretary
General
Kampala, Nov 25, 2007
Sant Parkash Singh
India's high commissioner to Britain, Kamlesh Sharma, 66, is
the first & unanimously appointed C'wealth
Secretary General of the 53-nation grouping from an Asian Commonwealth
country in more than 40 years. He will take up a prestigious post
for two years on April 1, 2008. The secretary general is responsible
for its day to day functioning but Queen Elizabeth heads the Commonwealth
At Ugandan capital Kampala, the summit of 53-nation grouping
started on Friday until Sundayand are discussing issues like global
trade and climate change. Don McKinnon, outgoing, incumbent two-time
term Secretary General, a former New Zealand foreign minister
said, "Sharma was the unanimous choice of the Commonwealth,
a grouping of English speaking countries that works on the principle
of consensus."
Sharma at a news conference said:
- I would like to express my gratitude to all the leaders for
the responsibility and trust they have given me to carry forward
the task of the Commonwealth
- It will be an honour and a privilege to serve this great international
institution.
- The Commonwealth a "highly representative body of the
human community."
- Pakistan's suspension from this body- there can be rapid
developments and we will be observing them and addressing them
accordingly
Prime Minister of India,Manmohan Singh said:
- I am very delighted by the selection of Mr. Sharma.
- Sharma's long record of public service in the international
community has been capped by this recognition of his capability
and his inclusive vision of the Commonwealth.
- I am confident that he will acquit himself well in his higher
responsibilities as the first servant of the entire Commonwealth.
Kamalesh Sharma's Bio:
- Kamalesh Sharma was educated in St. Stephen's College, Delhi,
and King's College, Cambridge.
- Mr. Sharma, a retired IFS (Indian Foreign Service) from 1965
to 2001 and has been India's ambassador five times
- 1996-2001, he became permanent representative of India to
the UN in New York
- He is currently High Commissioner in the UK
- Sharma is also India's representative on the board of governors
of the Commonwealth since 2004.
- Sharma's honorary positions:
- Fellow of Harvard University-Weatherhead Centre for International
Affairs.
- Fellow of Foreign Policy Association of the United States
- Recipient of the Medal of the Association
- Former Member of the Board of the International Peace
Academy in New York, Governor of the Ditchley Foundations
and Vice President of the Royal Overseas League.
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Kamlesh Sharma, a retired IFS, is the first secretary general from
an Asian Commonwealth country in more than 40 years
- Indian Ambassador to the United Nations, 1997-2002. Joined Indian
Foreign Service, 1965. Indian Ambassador to the United Nations
in Geneva, 1988. Indian Ambassador to the German Democratic Republic,
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Indian Ambassador to the United Nations,
August 1, 1997-2002. Special Representative of the Secretary-General
of the United Nations to East Timor, May 21, 2002-2004. High Commissioner
of India to the United Kingdom, 2004-Current.
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