BIO
JUAN PABLO DE LA IGLESIA Y GONZÁLEZ DE PEREDO has been serving as
Spain’s Underscretary of State for Ibero-America since 2009. Prior to this
appointment, he gained extensive expertise in social and development issues,
serving as the Special appointed Ambassador for humanitarian and social
issues (2009), Chairman of the Spanish International Development
Cooperation Agency (2008) and Secretary-General of the Spanish International
Cooperation Agency (2004).
Mr. De Laiglesia’s long and prestigious career in public service includes
ambassadorships in different regions and capacities; in 2002, he was a Special
Appointed Ambassador for the coordination of the relations with European
neighboring countries after serving as Ambassador of Spain to Poland (1998)
and as Special Appointed Ambassador for Peace-keeping operations (1996).
His comprehensive understanding of Latin American identity, issues and
potential was cemented by his appointments as Ambassador of Spain to
Mexico (1992), Ambassador of Spain to Guatemala (1988), Director-General for
Latin American Policy (1985) and Deputy Director for Mexico, Central America
and Caribbean countries (1984).
A lifelong diplomat, Mr. De Laiglesia first joined in the Spanish Diplomatic
Service in 1973 and was promptly dispatched to the Embassy of Spain in
Colombia and four years later, to the Spanish Diplomatic Delegation to the UN
in Geneva (1977).
Mr. De Laiglesia holds a Law Degree and has taught at the Diplomatic School
and has written various publications on Spanish foreign affairs and
international relations. He has also been decorated on several occasions both
in Spain and abroad
.