Ambassador Andrey G. Baklanov is an Associate Fellow within the Global Fellowship Initiative of the GCSP. Born on October 18, 1947 in Moscow. Graduate of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1969). In 1969-1972 – assistant to the USSR Ambassador in Egypt, attaché on the economic issues. In 1973 - 1985 - Acting Director of a scientific Division of MGIMO, the Deputy Dean – the Head of Eastern Department, the acting Dean of Faculty of the International relations of MGIMO, the Director of Scientific department of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since 1986 – again in the diplomatic service, in USSR/Russian embassies in Arab and African states, Minister-counsellor in the Russian Federation Embassy in Cairo. In 2000 - 2005 – the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Being on this post, performed practical interaction with the international and regional organizations having headquarters located in Saudi Arabia (The Organization of Islamic Conference, the International Energy Forum, Council of Cooperation of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf). Since 2007 – at work in the Federation Council (Senate, Higher Chamber of the Parliament): Deputy Head of Department of international relations, Head of Department of international relations, Adviser, from 2018 – Assistant to the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Federation. He is also a professor at the National Research University - the Higher school for Economy and the Head of the Middle East and North Africa studies section. Decorated with Russian State and Ministry of Foreign Affairs awards. Author of 6 books and more than 400 other publications. He lectured at universities and research centers in the UK, Syria, Egypt, Tanzania and other countries. Vice-Chairman of the Association of Russian diplomats, Vice-President of the Russian Committee on friendship and solidarity with the African and Asian peoples.