Aziz Mekouar

His Excellency
Aziz Mekouar
Ambassador of Morocco to the United States
In office
19 June 2002  16 September 2011
Preceded by vacant 1999–2002
Mohamed Benaissa
Succeeded by Rachad Bouhlal
Independent Chairman of the Global Council of the United Nations's FAO
In office
1 January 2001  31 December 2004
Preceded by Sjarifudin Baharsjah
Succeeded by Wilfred Joseph Ngirwa
Personal details
Born (1950-11-13) 13 November 1950
Fes, Morocco
Nationality Moroccan
Spouse(s) Maria Felice Cittadini-Cesi
Children Camil Mekouar
Residence Marrakesh
Alma mater HEC Paris
Occupation Diplomat
Religion Islam

Aziz Mekouar (born 13 November 1950, Fes) is a Moroccan career diplomat. He served as Independent Chairman of the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).[1] Former Moroccan ambassador to the United States of America,[2] he is a special adviser to the Presidency at the Banque Marocaine du Commerce Exterieur (BMCE) and board member at the Bank of Africa. Appointed in 2016 by the King of Morocco on the Steering Committee as Ambassador to Multilateral Negotiations of COP22.[3]

Personal life

Aziz Mekouar attended the Lycée Français Charles Lepierre in Lisbon and obtained a graduate degree from the Higher School of Commerce (HEC) in Paris in 1974.[1] He is fluent in Arabic, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. He is married to Italian aristocrat Maria Felice Cittadini-Cesi and has one son.

Aziz Mekouar is the grandson of Ahmed Mekouar, Moroccan nationalist, and the son of Tahar Mekouar, a diplomat and business man and Aïcha Benjelloun.[4] He is the nephew of business magnate Othman Benjelloun.[4]

Career

Aziz Mekouar was the ambassador of Morocco to Angola (1986-1993)[1] and to Portugal (1993-1999).[1] Mr Mekouar served as ambassador to Italy Malta, Albania and Sovereign Order of Malta (1999-2002).[1] He was elected Independent Chairman of the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in November 2001 and re-elected in 2003.[1] He had previously been appointed ambassador to the United States from June 19, 2002 until 2011. He participated in the negotiation of the Morocco and United States free trade agreement and the Millennium Challenge Account wherein the United States granted US$697 million for Moroccan development projects.[5]

Today he is an independent advisor and consultant for a number of different companies.[6]

Interfaith activities

As ambassador Mekouar made outreach to Jewish and evangelical Christians one of his priorities, he has helped organize numerous events promoting Christian-Muslim understanding.[5]

Other functions

During his career, Mr Mekouar has also held other positions of responsibility, including:

Publications

Decorations

References

External links

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