Biographical Note

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF COLOMBIA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

 

(Based on information received from the Protocol and Liaison Service.)

The new Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations, Claudia Blum, presented her credentials to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan today.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Blum was a member of her country’s Senate for four consecutive congressional periods, from 1991 to 2006.  She was the first woman ever to be elected President of the Congress, during the 2005-2006 legislature.  As a legislator, Claudia Blum worked on laws and constitutional reforms related to the modernization and transparency of the State, the search for peace, the strengthening of the justice system, the fight against illicit drug trafficking, the protection of the environment and human rights issues.

As President of the Senate, she led initiatives aimed at increasing public information on legislative work and citizen participation in the process of evaluating laws.  She also worked for the establishment of a congressional television station, as well as initiatives for the better use of technology in the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives.

As a professional, Ms. Blum also worked in Cali, Colombia, as a journalist (1975-1986), a psychologist (1975-1983) and as Director of the Association for the Promotion of the Arts (Proartes) (1983-1989).  She was also elected as a Councilwoman for the municipality of her home city, Cali, from 1984 to 1986 and from 1990 to 1991.  She is also the author of five books:  Ministry of the Environment, Last Chance (1993); Corruption: For How Long? (1995); Up Front (1997); For Truth (2001); and The Reforms Congress (2006).

Ms. Blum specialized in psychology at the Universidad del Valle and has a master’s degree in political studies from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.  She has also completed advanced courses in negotiation and conflict resolution at Harvard Law School.

Born in Cali, Colombia, on 9 August, 1948, Ms. Blum is married with two children.

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For information media • not an official record