PHILIPPINE NON-RESIDENT AMBASSADOR TO MAURITANIA INAUGURATES THE NEW PHILIPPINE HONORARY CONSULATE IN NOUAKCHOTT

Ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Ambassador Leslie J. Baja and Dr. Mohamed Ali Deyahi

3 November 2022 – Philippine Non-Resident Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania H.E. Leslie J. Baja graced the inauguration of the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Nouakchott under the leadership of the newly-appointed Honorary Consul Dr. Mohammed Ali Deyahi. The ceremony was held in the premises of the Honorary Consulate in Nouakchott in the presence of officials from the Mauritanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government offices, representatives from the diplomatic corps and honorary consular corps, and members of the Filipino community in Nouakchott.

Ambassador Baja and Dr. Deyahi with the members of the Filipino community in Nouakchott

Through the opening of the new Honorary Consulate, Ambassador Baja, in his remarks, conveyed his aspiration in expanding Philippines-Mauritania bilateral relations to include economic, agriculture, and fisheries, among others. He also thanked the Mauritanians for the kind treatment they have extended to Filipino workers in the country. In his welcome remarks, Dr. Deyahi conveyed his deep gratitude to the Philippine government for placing its trust and confidence in him, and assured the Ambassador of his commitment to promote political and economic relations between the Philippines and Mauritania and to assist the Filipino nationals in Mauritania, noting that nothing will be spared in carrying out his duties and responsibilities as an Honorary Consul.

Dr. Deyahi previously served in various senior positions in the International Labor Organization (ILO), UN Development Programme (UNDP), and UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). He also served as a member of the National Assembly of Mauritania and Chairman of the Amité France-Mauritanie parliamentary group from1992 to 1996. He holds an MBA from the Management Graduate School of Geneva and a doctorate degree in Management Science from the Lausanne BSL University in Geneva.

Aside from the inauguration, representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Rabat conducted a training for the staff of the Honorary Consulate to familiarize them with the consular services that they are expected to deliver to the Filipinos in Mauritania. To date, the Philippine Embassy in Rabat oversees the operations of three (3) Honorary Consulates in Conakry, Dakar, and Nouakchott.

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