Mr. Hernani Coelho, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL) will pay a working visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on April 3-5, 2016.

 The visit is in response to an invitation by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun Sisoulith.

The visit aims to further strengthen the friendship relations between Laos and Timor-Leste.  

Following is Mr. Hernani Coelho’s biography:

 Mr. Hernani Coelho is the current Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL), sworn into office on February 16, 2015.

Prior to this ministerial post, he served as Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to countries like Australia, the Republic of Korea and accredited Ambassador to New Zealand.

He was also the Deputy Chief of Staff for the President of the Republic from 2010 to 2012 and Chairman of the Institute of Diplomatic Studies of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste from 2012 to 2013, before taking up his post as Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2005 as the Interim Director of Bilateral Affairs. 

Mr. Coelho had served in many different institutions and in a wide range of profession since 1989 before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, namely as Journalist of Infovet Indonesia Magazine, Senior Program Officer at the Macau’s Islands Municipal Council, Senior Research Officer at the Portuguese Institute of Agrarian Research, University Lecture at Timor-Leste National University, Staff for the Portuguese Cooperation Programmes in Timor-Leste, Adviser for Economic & Infrastructure for the National Council under the United Nations Transitional Administration for East Timor, Policy Advisor and Head of Environment and Natural Resources Management Unit of UNDP-Timor-Leste, Learning Manager for UNDP and President of UNDP-UNOPS Staff Association.

Mr. Coelho graduated with Cum Laude for his Bachelor degree on Diary and Poultry Industry from General Soedirman University Purwokerto, Indonesia, where he was likewise awarded with the SUPERSEMAR (Indonesia Presidential Scholarship for the best University Students), and obtained 1st Honour Degree for his Animal Husbandry Science/Engineering studies from University Islam Malang, Indonesia.

He also holds a Post Graduate degree on Business Administration from the University of Macau majoring in Marketing and Strategic Management. Apart from these studies he attended many other courses on areas such as military combat strategies, leadership and diplomacy, energy and sustainable development, project management, etc.

Mr. Coelho's mother tongue is Tetum while fluent in Portuguese, English and Indonesia he can also conduct basic conversation in Chinese-Cantonese, Javanese and Thai.

Mr. Coelho enjoys martial arts, travel, ancient cultures, hiking, tracking, research activities and politics which is demonstrated by his active role as a member of the Central Committee of FRETILIN party. He is married and has one daughter.

Source:
courtesy of KPL NEWS AGENCY

by KPL

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