John Kelley (diplomat)

Not to be confused with John Kelly (diplomat).

John Kelley is the Acting Alternate Representative to the United Nations for the United States. ^[1] He has had a lengthy career in the U.S. Foreign Service, with a geographic focus in Africa. ^[2]

Early life and education

Kelley is from Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of Howard University. He then earned a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. ^[3]

Career

Kelley's first position in the U.S. Foreign Service was in Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon. He served as Political Officer. Next, Kelley spent five years as the Senior Multilateral Officer with the Africa Bureau for Deputy Secretary John Negroponte. In 2011, he was the Political Counselor in Juba, South Sudan, where he helped open the first U.S. embassy following formation of Africa's newest country. ^[3]

From 2012 to 2016, Kelley worked for the U.S. State Department in Democratic Republic of Congo. Prior to his mid-February 2025 appointment as a representative to the U.N., ^[4] Kelley was a Deputy Director in the Africa Bureau’s Economic and Regional Affairs Office. ^[5] He managed several units, including Strategic Planning & Democracy and Human Rights. ^[3]

References

1. "United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo". media.un.org. New York City: UNifeed. 8 April 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
2. Leimbach, Dulcie (28 February 2025). "The Top US Seat May Be Empty, but Trump's Agenda Moves Ahead at the UN". PassBlue. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
3. "John Kelley | Global Interdependence Center". www.interdependence.org. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
4. "Remarks by John Kelley, Acting U.S. Alternate Representative, at a UN Security Council Briefing on Threats to International Peace and Security". The America Times. 19 February 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
5. "Remarks by John Kelley, Political Minister Counselor, at a UN Security Council Briefing on Sudan and South Sudan". The America Times. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.