EDU.INT
INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
BELGIUM
Secretary-General meets Chair of the Economic and Environmental Committee at the OSCE
His Excellency Irving Levance is proud to head an organization that places a high importance on the empowerment of women and the challenging of gender barriers. It was therefore an especial pleasure for him to meet Her Excellency, Ambassador Olga Algayerova who heads the Permanent Mission of the Slovak Republic to the International Organizations in Vienna and holds the Chair of the Economic and Environmental Committee at the world’s largest security related intergovernmental organization, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
With 57 States from Europe, Central Asia and North America, the OSCE is the world's largest regional security organization. It offers a forum for political negotiations and decision-making in the fields of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation, and puts the political will of its participating States into practice through its unique network of field missions.
The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities.
All 57 participating States enjoy equal status.
Ambassador Algayerova is a truly impressive stateswoman who joined the Slovak diplomatic service in a career change at the position of a high official. There is an increasing practice worldwide of non-diplomats taking ambassadorial and other prominent positions, especially in the negotiation of technical issues.
She graduated from the University of Economics in Bratislava, Faculty of International Trade. In 2006 she received her MBA from the Open University Business School in London and in 2010 her Master in Contemporary Diplomacy from the University of Malta. She has over twenty-four years of experience in foreign trade business, investment and corporate management as well as 4 years experience with government services. She worked for Drevounia Foreign Trade Company in various managerial positions and as the Head of the export division in Slovakofarma, a.s., later Zentiva International, a.s.
In 2006 she was appointed State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, a position in which she served until July 2010. Her responsibilities included development cooperation and European affairs and she has served as an Advisor at the Office of the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic.
Ambassador Algayerova also served as Chairman at the Slovakia Millenium Development Goals where she and fellow professionals promote Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Asia and Africa.
The Secretary-General wished Ambassador Algayerova continued success in her diplomatic career.
Ambassador Algayerova joined the Slovak diplomatic service recently at the position of a high official and talks about her successful transition into the diplomatic field.
(There is an increasing practice worldwide of non-diplomats taking ambassadorial and other prominent positions, especially in the negotiation of technical issues).
