NEW PERMANENT REPRSENTATIVE OF GABON PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNOG

Patrice Tonda, the new Permanent Representative of Gabon to the United Nations Office at Geneva, today presented his credentials to Sergei Ordzhonikidze, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva.

Prior to his appointment to Geneva, Mr. Tonda had served as Gabon's Ambassador to Senegal since 1996. He was concurrently Ambassador to Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Gambia and Guinea, based in Dakar, from 1997. He joined the Foreign Service of Gabon in 1996.

Mr. Tonda started his career as an engineer specializing in mines after gaining a graduate degree from the State University of Mons in Belguim. He continued to work in the field of mines until 1988 when he served as Special Counsellor to the President of Gabon on mines. From 1989 to 1996, he first taught at universities in Gabon and Belgiuim, and then worked in the private sector.

Born on 21 November 1950 in Bembicani in Gabon, Mr. Tonda is married and has two children.

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