João Clemente Baena Soares facts for kids
João Clemente Baena Soares (born May 14, 1931 – died June 7, 2023) was a Brazilian diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. They work to build good relationships and solve problems peacefully between countries.
Soares was born in Belém, a city in Brazil. He spent 31 years working for the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations. This is like Brazil's foreign office, where they handle relationships with countries around the world.
Contents
A Career in Diplomacy
Leading the Organization of American States
From 1984 to 1994, João Clemente Baena Soares was elected to be the Secretary General of the Organization of American States. This group, often called the OAS, works to promote peace, democracy, and development among countries in North and South America. Being the Secretary General means he was the main leader of this important organization.
In Brazil, he also held a very high position. He served as the Secretary General of Foreign Affairs of Brazil. This role is similar to being Brazil's Vice-Chancellor, helping to manage the country's international relations.
Working with the United Nations
Soares also played a big part in the United Nations, which is a global organization working for peace and cooperation.
Helping with International Law
Between 1997 and 2006, he was a member of the United Nations International Law Commission. This group helps to create and improve international laws that countries agree to follow.
Looking into Important Issues
In 2003, the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, chose him for the High Level Threat Panel. This panel looked at big global challenges and threats.
Later, in 2006, he was appointed to a special group. This group was part of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Its job was to investigate claims that civilians in Lebanon were harmed during the 2006 Lebanon War.
His Legacy
João Clemente Baena Soares passed away on June 7, 2023, at the age of 92. He is remembered for his long and important career helping Brazil and the world work together.
Publications
- Sem medo da diplomácia (2006)
See also
In Spanish: João Clemente Baena Soares para niños
