Anil Sooklal

Dr Anil Sooklal was appointed deputy director-general: Asia and the Middle East in January 2003. He has a BA (Hons) (cum laude) in Oriental History and Religious Studies, an MA degree in Religious Studies, and a PhD in religious studies and Oriental History from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Dr Sooklal has held several high-level positions in the Department, including serving as chief director for North Africa, acting chief director for United Nations Political and Global Security Affairs, and head of the Department’s parliamentary office in Cape Town.

Anil Sooklal is also Sous-Sherpa of Brazil, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS). Dr Sooklal was also appointed ambassador to the European Union in Belgium and Luxembourg between April 2006 and January 2012. Before joining government in 1995 he was a lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of South Africa. His awards include a Fellowship in Human Rights and an Internship in Human Rights from the United Nations Centre for Human Rights in Geneva.