Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo NATO’s next Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan

Islamabad: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has announced the appointment of Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo as NATO’s next Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan.

“I am glad to announce that I have appointed Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo as NATO’s next Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan. Ambassador Pontecorvo will take up his post on 1 June. He brings a long-standing diplomatic experience, including on Afghanistan and the broad regional context,” the NATO chief said in a statement.

“I look forward to working closely with him at this critical juncture for Afghanistan’s future, where all actors need to come together in the interest of peace and to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Pontecorvo is an Italian national and he served as Italy’s ambassador to Pakistan. Stoltenberg also thanked Italy for its continued mission in Afghanistan.

“I thank Italy for its continued commitment to strengthening the Afghan security forces so that they can create the conditions for a sustainable peace,” said Stoltenberg.

“Italy is a framework nation in our Resolute Support mission, contributing brave and highly-skilled troops, as well as continued funding to the Afghan security forces, and the country’s economic development,” he said.

Stoltenberg further said: “NATO Allies and our partner countries remain firmly committed to Afghanistan’s long-term security, which is important for our own security. I thank our outgoing Senior Civilian representative Ambassador Sir Nicholas Kay for his outstanding service, and his contributions to the cause of peace and security for all Afghans.” Ambassador Pontecorvo will replace Nicolas Kay.

Following is Ambassador Pontecorvo’s profile:

Born in Bangkok, Thailand on the 17th of February 1957. Career – 1983: Degree in Economics cum laude – Università di Roma.

1985: Enters Diplomatic Service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate General for Personnel (1986) and Directorate General for Political Affairs, NATO Desk (1987).

1988: Italian Embassy, Moscow. Second Secretary for Economic, Financial and Commercial Affairs. 1989: Promoted First Secretary. 1992: Italian Permanent Mission to NATO, Brussels. First Secretary in charge of the Balkans and Deputy Representative to the NATO Political Committee. 1995: Promoted Counsellor. 1996: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome. Chief of Staff of the Secretary General. 1997: EU Council, General Secretariat, Brussels. Head of the Balkans Desk.

1999: Stability Pact for South East Europe, Brussels. Head of Office and Responsible for the Third Table on Security and Stability in the Balkans. 2000: Promoted First Counsellor. 2001: Italian Permanent Mission to the EU, Brussels. First Counsellor for External Relations (Italian Representative on the RELEX Group) and Chairman of the RELEX Group during the Italian Presidency. Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU Political and Security Committee. 2004: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome. Head of the Financial Division of the Directorate General for Cooperation and Development. 2005: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome. Chief of Staff of the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Europe, Senator Roberto Antonione (under the Berlusconi Government). 2006: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome. Chief of Staff of Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Africa and Cooperation for Development, Hon.le Patrizia Sentinelli. 2007: Italian Embassy, Moscow. Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission. 2008: Promoted Minister Plenipotentiary. 2009: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rome. Deputy Director General for Sub-Saharan African Countries. 2010: Italian Embassy, London. Minister and Deputy Head of Mission. 2013: Diplomatic Advisor to the Minister of Defence since 15th of January 2013 (Min. Giampaolo di Paola under the Monti Government; Min. Mario Mauro under the Letta Government; Min. Roberta Pinotti under the Renzi Government).

Present position: Ambassador of Italy in Pakistan. Others: 1998 – 2002: taught “International financial and monetary markets”, University of Trieste. Fluent in English, French and Russian. Married with Lidia Ravera and has one daughter.