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Srgjan Asan KerimMacedonian diplomat, former President of the United Nations General Assembly;
Date of Birth: 12.12.1948
Country:  Macedonia |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Academic and Diplomatic Career
- Political Career
- Presidency of the UN General Assembly
- Presidential Candidacy and Later Career
Early Life and Education
Srgjan Kerim was born in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, to a mixed Macedonian and Turkish heritage. He completed his undergraduate studies in economics at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Economics in 1971. In 1982, he earned his Ph.D. in economics.
Academic and Diplomatic Career
Kerim taught international economic relations at his alma mater from 1972 to 1991, while also serving as a visiting lecturer at the University of Hamburg and New York University. In 2003, he joined WAZ Media Group as Chief Executive Officer of Media and CEO for South East Europe.
Kerim served as Macedonia's ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany from 1994 to 2000, and concurrently represented Macedonia in Switzerland and Liechtenstein from 1995. In 2000, he became the Special Envoy of the Stability Pact Coordinator for South Eastern Europe.
Political Career
Kerim served as Macedonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2000 and 2001. He was appointed Permanent Representative of the Republic of Macedonia to the United Nations in 2001 and served in this capacity in New York for two years.
Presidency of the UN General Assembly
On September 18, 2007, Kerim was elected the 62nd President of the United Nations General Assembly. He delivered his inaugural address on September 25, 2007. He held the position for one year before being succeeded by Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann.
Presidential Candidacy and Later Career
In 2009, Kerim announced his intention to run as a presidential candidate in the upcoming Macedonian presidential election, seeking support from either the VMRO-DPMNE or SDSM political parties. Kerim remained a strong contender for the VMRO-DPMNE nomination. He has continued his academic pursuits, publishing nine books on international politics, international economics, and youth issues.
