Amara Essy

Amara Essy ( born December 20, 1944 in Bouaké ) is a politician of the Ivory Coast and was president of the UN General Assembly in the 49th session.

From January 1977 to January 1978 was Essy Chairman of the Group of 77, a union and an organization of developing countries based in Geneva / Switzerland.

In his diplomatic career, he represented as a permanent representative at the United Nations his country from November 7, 1981 bis November 1990. Additionally, he served as Ambassador (based in New York) and envoy to Argentina and Cuba in charge.

In January 1990, he was Ivorian foreign minister and served as Chairman of the United Nations Security Council for one month. In September 1994 the United Nations General Assembly voted Essy for a year as its president. Following his position as Foreign Minister, he was Minister for International Cooperation in 1998; he held until 2000 this office.

In July 2001, he was the last Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity and after converting it in 2002 the first Secretary General of the African Union. This office he held until 2003.