1. Basic information

Born on December 15, 1953 in Beirut, Lebanon.

2. Educational background

Ph.D. in Political Sciences Paris (1992). LL.M., Harvard Law School (1991). Lebanese University (Beirut) (1984). Ph.D. in History, Sorbonne University, Paris (1979). Studied at the Ecole Supérieure des SocialEs in Paris (1974).

3. Work experience

(1) Diplomatic aspects

Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations from July 2007 to December 2017. Represented Lebanon on the United Nations Security Council in 2010 and 2011 for a two-year term as a non-permanent member, and served as President of the Council in May 2010 and September 2011. He served as Vice-President of the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly from September 2012 to September 2013 and Acting President of the General Assembly in July 2013. Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2016 and 2018.

Head of the Lebanese delegation to the Climate Change Summit (Paris 2015); Head of the Lebanese delegation to the International Conference on Financing for Development (Addis Ababa 2015); Head of the Lebanese delegation to the High-level Meeting on South-South and Triangular Cooperation (Dhaka 2015); Member of the Lebanese delegation to the South American Arab Summit (Lima, 2012); attended Rio+ Member of the Lebanese delegation to the 20 Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio de Janeiro 2012), Member of the United Nations Security Council field missions to Ethiopia, sudan and Kenya (2011), Members of the United Nations Security Council field missions to Uganda and the Sudan (2010), members of the United Nations Security Council field mission to Afghanistan (2010), and head of the Lebanese delegation to the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (Havana 2009). Member of the Lebanese delegation to the Climate Change Summit (Copenhagen, 2009) and to the OIC Summit (Dakar, 2008).

(2) Private law practice

Lawyer, member of the Beirut Bar Association; lawyers and representatives of various international and domestic, public and private entities in Beirut, Lebanon (1984-1989 and 1992-2007) and Boston, USA (1989-1992). Main practice areas: general litigation, public and private international law, international trade.

(3) Academic aspects

American University of Beirut: Chair, Department of Political Studies and Public Administration (2005-2007), Associate Professor (2003-2007), Lecturer (1992-2003 and 1985-1989). Harvard Law School: Visiting Fellow (1989-1990). Sorbonne University, Centre for Contemporary Islamic History: Research Assistant (1984-1985). Harvard Center for International Affairs: Visiting Scholar (1981-1982). Lecturer at the Sorbonne University in Paris (1979-1981).

Courses taught include: Introduction to International Law; Topics in International Relations and International Law; Overview of International Relations; High-Level Seminar on International Law and Diplomacy; Postgraduate Seminar on International Law; Postgraduate Seminar on Diplomatic Theory and Practice; Postgraduate Seminar on International Environmental Law; Postgraduate Tutor in International Law.

Public lectures and presentations include Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs in New York (2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015); International Peace Research Institute, New York (2015); Yale Law School (2014); New York University (2013); Council on Foreign Relations, New York (1994 and 2012); Rabat University, Morocco (2012); Harvard Kennedy School of Government (1982 and 2010) St. Joseph's University, Lebanon (2003 and 2006), Balaman University, Lebanon (1993, 1996 and 2006), University of Beirut, Lebanon (1995, 2001 and 2005), Cultural Centre of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (2004), University of Freiburg, Germany (1989 and 2003), Cairo University in Egypt (2003), University of Mainz, Germany (2002), Saguessay University, Lebanon (2002) Harvard Law School Global Alumni Conference, Paris (2001); Oxford University (1994, 1997 and 1999); Schumann Foundation, Jordan (1997 and 1999); Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1991 and 1996); Boston University (1996); Institute of Science, Centre for International Relations Studies, Paris (1995); Sorbonne University of Paris (1980, 1981, 1985 and 1992) Yale University (1991); Center for Middle East Affairs, Harvard University (1991); American Institute for Peace, Washington, D.C. (1990); Harvard Law School (1990); Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University (1989); University of London (1988); American Enterprise Institute, Washington, D.C. (1984); Harvard Center for International Affairs (1982 and 1986).

(4) Other activities

Member and Rapporteur of the Lebanese National Electoral Law Commission, responsible for the preparation of the draft new Lebanese electoral law (2005-2006), member of the Lebanese National Commission for UNESCO (2000-2004) and member of the Executive Board of the Lebanese Socio-Economic Council (1999-2002).

4. Writings

He is the author of numerous books, papers and articles, including numerous works in the fields of international law, constitutional law, electoral law and Islamic law, as well as in international organizations and international affairs.

Selected works: Security Council Meeting in Lebanon 2010-2011, 2012; Taif Dysfunction and the Need for Constitutional Reform, 2007; "Arab Legal Crisis" in The Iraqi Oriental, 2005; Reforming the Electoral System: A Comparative Perspective, 2004; What Role might the United Nations play in Iraq, co-authored with Karim Maktisi? Based on preliminary ideas for previous United Nations peace operations in Cambodia, Kosovo, East Timor and Afghanistan, 2004; The Taif Agreement, 2003; Civil Society in the Arab World, 2002; Independence of Justice Between Text and Practice, 1996; Between Repatriation and Resettlement: Palestine Refugees in Lebanon, 1994.

5. Language

Fluent in Arabic, English and French.

6. Honor

French National Legion of Honor.

【End】

Nawaf Salam, Lebanese Judge of the United Nations International Court of Justice