JSC

Joao Samuel Caholo

International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR)

Executive Secretary

Description

Ambassador João Samuel CAHOLO, of Angolan nationality, born on 10 July 1956, was appointed Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) on 20 November 2020. Before joining the Secretariat, he held various positions in the Angolan Government, including Senior Adviser for Diplomacy and International Cooperation at the Presidency of Angola (2018-2020), Senior Adviser at the Ministry of Petroleum (2015-2017) and Vice-Minister of Fisheries (1992-1999). He has extensive professional experience within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), having served as Deputy Executive Secretary (2005-2013), Director of Infrastructure and Services (2003-2005), Director of Energy, SADC Commission (2001-2005), Regional Energy Sector Coordinator (1999-2001) and Senior Consulting Geologist (1986-1992). Ambassador Caholo, a geoscientist and geologist by training, holds a master's and bachelor's degree in economic geology from the University of Angola (1979-1984) and a postgraduate diploma in petroleum geology and reservoir management from the University of Trondheim (1986-1987). He is fluent in English and Portuguese and has a working knowledge of French and Spanish.