FOREIGN SECRETARY MEADE APPOINTS AMBASSADOR OÑATE AS DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

The Foreign Ministry reports that Foreign Secretary José Antonio Meade has appointed Ambassador María Carmen Oñate Muñoz as Director General for Africa and the Middle East, effective May 1st.

Ambassador Oñate holds a degree in International Relations from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). A career diplomat, she joined the Mexican Foreign Service in 1979 and attained the rank of Ambassador in 2002.

During her career at the Ministry, Ambassador Oñate has held several positions in Mexico and abroad. At the Foreign Ministry, she has been Director General for the Archives of Diplomatic History (1994-1995); Head of Coordination and Liaison with the Congress (1995-1998) and Director General of Regional American Organizations (2001-2004). Abroad, she has served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Mexico in Guatemala (1998-2001) and Ambassador of Mexico in Costa Rica (2004-2009), among other posts.

Since August 30, 2009, she has been Mexico’s ambassador in Egypt, concurrent in Jordan, Syria and Sudan, and Mexico’s representative to the League of Arab States.

The Foreign Ministry gratefully acknowledges the work of Counselor Pedro González Olvera, chargé d’affaires for Africa and the Middle East for the past several months. He will continue in the same area for the immediate future.