NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF BURUNDI PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNOG

Pierre Barusasiyeko, the new Permanent Representative of Burundi 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, in February 2008, Mr. Barusasiyeko was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Burundi. From 2005 to 2008, he was serving as Counsellor to the Department of Secondary Education of the Ministry of Education. Mr. Barusasiyeko had also previously served as a Counsellor to the Ministry of Education from 1991 to 1993.

From 1993 to 2005, Mr. Barusasiyeko was a national Deputy and a member of the Bureau of the National Assembly, as well as the Deputy Secretary-General in charge of legislative questions. From 1993 to 2001, he served as President of the Commission for Political, Administrative and Legislative Affairs. In addition, Mr. Barusasiyeko was the economic, social and cultural adviser to the Governor of Ruyigi from 1989 to 1991.

From 1993 to 2005, the new Permanent Representative of Burundi has also participated as either head or member of delegation at various meetings within the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Association of Francophone Parliaments, and the Pan-African Parliament. He has also participated in a number of peacekeeping, conflict-resolution and good governance missions.

Born in 1957 in Buhanga, Mr. Barusasiyeko studied French language and literature at the University of Burundi (1978-1982). He also received training in conflict resolution at Woodbrooke College in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 1998. Mr. Barusasiyeko is married.

For use of the information media; not an official record

CR08021E