Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo assumes the role of the new NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan

Today (1 June 2020), Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo of Italy takes up his role as the NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “Ambassador Pontecorvo brings a long-standing diplomatic experience, including on Afghanistan and the broad regional context. I look forward to working closely with him at this critical juncture for Afghanistan’s future.”

Working with the NATO-led Resolute Support mission which trains, advises and assists the Afghan security forces and institutions, Ambassador Pontecorvo will advise the NATO Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council on the Alliance’s efforts in Afghanistan and relations with Afghan partners. He will liaise with senior members of the Afghan government, Afghan officials and other prominent national and local officials. He will engage with representatives of the international community, Afghan civil society and non-governmental organisations.

Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo previously served as Italy’s Ambassador to Pakistan for more than four years. In 2013-2015, he was the Diplomatic Adviser to the Italian Defence Minister, working on NATO political-military issues, including on Afghanistan, where Italy is one of the framework nations of the Resolute Support Mission. His previous posts included that of Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassies in London and Moscow.

Ambassador Pontecorvo replaces Ambassador Sir Nicholas Kay of the United Kingdom, who had been in the post since March 2019. “I thank our outgoing Senior Civilian Representative Ambassador Sir Nicholas Kay for his outstanding service and his contributions to the cause of peace and security for all Afghans,” the NATO Secretary General said.