Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (1920-) was the fifth UN Secretary-General from (1981-91). His involvements with the UN began in 1971 as Peru’s permanent representative to the UN when he was also vice-president of the General Assembly and chairman of the Group of 77, and president of the Security Council. In 1975 he became under-secretary-general for special political affairs and at times served as the special representative of the Secretary-General in Cyprus and Afghanistan. After leaving the post of Secretary-General, he became chairman of the UNESCO/World Commission on Culture and Development. During an electoral transition, he acted as prime minister of Peru (2000-2001) and is currently Peru’s ambassador to France. He was born in Peru and educated at the Catholic University in Lima. His UN memoirs are titled Pilgrimage for Peace: A Secretary-General’s Memoir.

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