Sven Alkalaj PhD
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ACADEMIC and ADVISORY ENGAGEMENTS
(May 2014 to present)
University of Travnik, Faculty of Law, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Assistant Professor
Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Switzerland
Visiting Professor
American University in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Lecturer
UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE (UNECE)
Geneva, Switzerland
UNDER SECRETARY GENERAL and EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
(April 2012 to April 2014)
Accountable to the Secretary General leading one of the United Nation’s five Regional Commissions comprising of fifty-six Member States on three continents (North America, Europe and Asia); ensure the UNECE plays a major role in the inclusive and sustainable development of the region by promoting the adoption of an appropriate strategy covering issues such as climate change, public/private partnership, energy, global road safety, environment, transport, trade, statistics, forestry, housing and land management and economic cooperation.Active member of the UN Secretary General Senior Management Group.
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Minister of Foreign Affairs
(February 2007 to 2012)
During this period, led, managed and / or actively participated in foreign policy priorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina resulting in achievements listed below.Was actively engaged in electoral processes on the municipal and state levels as well as constitutional negotiations on implementation of various international court decisions.
EMBASSY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, Brussels, Belgium
Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium
Ambassador – Head of Mission to NATO
Ambassador to the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg (non-resident)
(February 2004 – February 2007)
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Preparation for upcoming posting
November 2003 – February 2004
EMBASSY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA TO THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
Washington DC, USA
Ambassador
February 2000-2003
EMBASSY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Washington DC, USA
Ambassador
1994 – February 2000
ENERGOINVEST COMPANY
Bangkok, Thailand
Managing Director
1988 – 1994
Energoinvest company – Sarajevo, is a multidisciplinary engineering and manufacturing company with dominant export orientation. It was the leading company in former Yugoslavia with the scope of activities of design and realization of complex plants in the country and abroad in the fields of power generation (thermal and hydro) power, power transmission, civil construction and architecture, chemical and process plants and communication technologies.
ENERGOINVEST COMPANY
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Assistant Regional Manager for Middle East and Far East
1985-1988
PETROLINVEST COMPANY
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Commercial Manager
1975-1985
Petrolinvest is an engineering company with a long-term experience in design and construction of complex industrial process plants in the domain of Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Industry.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
- Doctor of International Relations honoris causa, Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations, 2014
- Professor of Economy and International Relations honoris causa, University of Astana, Kazakhstan, 2013
- Freedom Award, appreciation for contributing to humanism, human rights and freedoms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe and the World, Centre for Peace, Non-Violence and Human Rights, Sarajevo, December 10, 2003
- Sarajevo City Memorial Plaque, in recognition for contributing to the City of Sarajevo Development, Sarajevo City Assembly, April 1985
- Silver Plaque for Achievements of Petrolinvest, Sarajevo, 1984
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY of TRAVNIK, Faculty of Law, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ph.D. – Doctor of Law – International Relations and International Law, 2016
Dissertation: “Policy of the United Nations Security Council in the Process of International Recognition and Peace-Building in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-2010)”
HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Graduate School of Business Administration
(in cooperation with INSEAD, IESE, Stanford Business School I John F. Kennedy School of Government Boston, Massachusetts, USA)
Executive Development Program, 1999
Corporate Finance Program, 1999
UNIVERSITY OF SARAJEVO, Faculty of Economics
M.Sc. International Relations and Economics – Regional Integration and Trade with Latin America, 1987
UNIVERSITY OF SARAJEVO, Mechanical Engineering Faculty
B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, 1974