Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo plays NATO SCR role at a critical juncture

Kabul: Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo is playing the role of the NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan at a critical juncture for Afghanistan’s future.
When Ambassador Pontecorvo assumed the office this year, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “Ambassador Pontecorvo brings a long-standing diplomatic experience, including on Afghanistan and the broad regional context. I look forward to working closely with him at this critical juncture for Afghanistan’s future.”

Working with the NATO-led Resolute Support mission which trains, advises and assists the Afghan security forces and institutions, Ambassador Pontecorvo is advising the NATO Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council on the Alliance’s efforts in Afghanistan and relations with Afghan partners.

Ambassador Pontecorvo is also in contact with senior members of the Afghan government, Afghan officials and other prominent national and local officials. He is engaging with representatives of the international community, Afghan civil society and non-governmental organisations.
Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo previously served as Italy’s Ambassador to Pakistan for more than four years. In 2013-2015, he was the Diplomatic Adviser to the Italian Defence Minister, working on NATO political-military issues, including on Afghanistan, where Italy is one of the framework nations of the Resolute Support Mission. His previous posts included that of Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassies in London and Moscow.

Ambassador Pontecorvo had replaced Ambassador Sir Nicholas Kay of the United Kingdom, who had been in the post since March 2019.