About MSA

About Me

Mohamed Sameh Amr (Ph.D.)

Professor & Chair of International Law Deptartment, Faculty of Law, Cairo University

Attorney-at-Law and Arbitrator

Ambassador of Egypt to UNESCO, April 2012 – April 2016

Chair of the Executive Board of UNESCO, November 2013 – November 2015

Email : amr@msamr.com / amr@arablc.com

BIOGRAPHY (Summary)

Since his graduation from Faculty of Law, Cairo University in 1987, Dr. Amr has worked in three complementary fields, which are Academia, Diplomacy and Lawyer. In the field of Academia, Dr. Amr holds a Bachelor's Degree in Law and a Master's Degree in Public and Private Law from the Cairo University, and a Ph.D. in International Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of London. He was appointed as Assistance in the Public International Law Department at Faculty of Law, Cairo University in January 1988 and Lecture in 1997, Assistant Professor in 2004 and Professor in 2010.

As Academic for over 25 years he has taught courses in several Egyptian universities and institutions, such as Cairo University, American University in Cairo (AUC), Ain Shams University, Egyptian Centre of Diplomatic Studies, Egyptian National Center for Judicial Studies and Institute of Arab Studies and Researches (Arab League). He also taught in many institutions and Centers in the Arab region in cooperation with the International Committee of Red Cross.

Dr. Amr was the Chairperson of English Law Department at Faculty of Law, Cairo University 2011- 2012 and was member of the Faculty’s Board for several years.

Courses taught by Dr. Amr are: Public International Law, UN Law and Practice, International Diplomacy, Settlement of International Disputes, International Water Law, International Law for Cultural Heritage, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights, International Environmental Law, International Cooperation, Sustainability and development. He is author of several books and articles in these subjects of International law.

Dr. Amr has served as a legal consultant to the Egyptian governmental team on the issue of Nile River 2009 – 2012.

In the field of Diplomacy , Dr. Amr served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Egypt to UNESCO (April 2012 – April 2016) and Representative of Egypt to UNESCO’s Executive Board (July 2013 – November 2015) and alternate of the Egyptian representative to the Executive Board (2012 – 2013 and 2015 – 2016). He was also Deputy Representative of Egypt to UNESCO’s General Conference (2013 and 2015). He also chaired the Non-Governmental Partner Committee of UNESCO in 2013.

Dr. Amr served as Deputy Permanent Representative of Egypt to UNESCO (February 2000 – February 2004) as well as alternate to Egyptian Representative to UNESCO’s Executive Board and General Conference 2000 – 2004.

Dr. Amr was elected as Chairperson of UNESCO’s Executive Board of UNESCO November 2013 – November 2015. During his mandate as Chairperson of the UNESCO Executive Board in 2013, he has spearheaded major transformational changes within the Organization. These reforms have entailed making full use of UNESCO’s wealth of expertise and of its role as an intellectual and cultural hub wielding immense potential in addressing global contemporary challenges in the areas covered by UNESCO’s mandate, ensuring greater effectiveness and efficiency in the governance of the Organization. During his mandate, Dr. Amr launched an initiative of “UNESCO Future Prospects” which addressed many themes as the role of the sciences, new energy and climate change, empowering youth, women and sustainable development, and innovation as a driving force for development.

Throughout his diplomatic carrier, Dr. Amr participated and associated in negotiating and drafting as well as helped in building consensus to adopt some of UNESCO’s international conventions, declarations and instruments.

the field of Corporate Law and Arbitration , Dr. Amr joined Shalakany Law Firm in 1987 as Associate till 1992. In 1997 he re-joined the same firm as Senior Associate then a Partner in the firm till 2000. He returned as partner to same firm 2004 - 2005. In 2005 he established with others a law firm in Egypt (Arab Legal Consultants) and worked as partner till 2012.

Dr. Amr offered a comprehensive range of legal services to a diverse array of banking and finance, civil, commercial and private law, commercial agencies and distribution, incorporations, structures and restructure of companies, mergers and acquisitions, securities, capital market, competition, public-private partnership, as well as trademarks and patents, tourism and services, IPO’s, bond issues and investment transactions. He has been involved drafting and negotiation. He helped some Egyptian Companies as well as foreign and multinational to execute high-value deals and advised on all aspects of doing business in Egypt in Egypt in Arab region.

Dr. Amr has also participated in a team to draft the Executive Regulations of the Egyptian Law of Competition and Anti-trust.

Dr. Amr acted as lawyer and Co-Arbitrator in some cases. He is registered as arbitrator in the Cairo Regional Center of International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA).

Dr. Amr is a member in the Egyptian Bar Association. Dr. Amr admitted as a Lawyer before the Egyptian Court of Cassation and High Administrative Tribunal since 2011.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

Ph.D. in International Law, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of London, 1997
Master Degree in Law Faculty of Law, Cairo University (Diplôme en Droit Public, 1988 and Diplôme en Droit Privé, 1989)
Licence en Droit, Faculty of Law, Cairo University, 1987

Academic experiences in the field of International Law

Professor of Public International Law, Faculty of Law –Cairo University, April 2016 – To date.
Professor of Public International Law, Faculty of Law - Cairo University, 2010 – 2012
Visiting Professor at Centre of Diplomatic Studies (Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), 2010 – 2012
Visiting Professor at The National Center for Judicial Studies (Egyptian Ministry of Justice), 2009 - 2012
Visiting Professor of International Law, Institute of Arab Studies and Researches (Affiliated to Arab League Organization): 2009 - 2012,
Visiting Professor of International Law, Faculty of Engineering, Post-Graduate Program of Water Resources, 2009 - 2012.
Visiting Professor of International Law, Faculty of Law, Ain Shams University, 2005 - 2007
Visiting Professor at Faculty of Mass Communications, Cairo University, 2005 - 2007
Visiting Professor at the American University in Cairo, Political Science Department, 2005 - 2006
Associate Professor of Public International Law, Faculty of Law, Cairo University, 2003 - 2010
Senior Lecturer of Public International Law, Faculty of Law, Cairo University, 1997 - 2003
Assistant Lecturer of Public International Law Department, Cairo University, 1988 - 1997

Administrative Tasks at Cairo University:

Director of the English Law Department, Faculty of Law - Cairo University, 2011 - 2012.
Deputy Director of the English Law Department, Faculty of Law - Cairo University, 2010 - 2011
Assistant Director of Institute of Business Law, Faculty of Law, Cairo University 1989 - 1992

Professional experiences in the field of Intergovernmental Organizations and Governmental Institutions

Legal Advisor to the Egyptian Delegation concerning the Negotiation on the Nile River, 2009 - 2012
Member of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Nile Basin Initiative, 2010 - 2012
Legal Expert and member of the team appointed by A.R.S Progetti S.P.A., UNESCO Project "Establishment of Procedures for the Management of the Erbil Citadel), 2011
Legal Expert to the Arab League Education, Cultural and Science Organization (ALECSO), for drafting a model legislation for the protection of Monuments and Cultural Properties in the Arab Region, 2010
International Law Expert to the Second Meeting of Arab Experts on World Cultural Heritage, organized by ALECSO, Kuwait, 2006
Legal Expert to UNDP for the project of “Modernization of the Public Prosecution Office in the Arab States”, 2005 - 2006
International Law Expert to the First Meeting of Arab Experts on World Cultural Heritage, organized by ALECSO, Kuwait, 2005
Representative of Egyptian General Authority of Foreign Investment in the meeting Re: the regional arrangement for investment in MENA, organized by OECD, Manama, 2005
Legal Expert to ECF S.p.A. for the project "Technical Assistance for Institutional Strengthening of the Egyptian Tourism Authority", 2005
Legal Advisor to the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry for the project "Competition Law assignment" within the Trade Enhancement Programme (TEP-A), 2005
Legal Advisor of the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry to draft and negotiate a Bilateral Investment Treaty between Egypt and Germany, 2005
Member of the Committee of International Exhibitions, Egyptian Counsel of Higher Antiquities, 2005
Representative of Egyptian General Authority of Foreign Investment to negotiate the COMESA’s Investment Treaty, 2004 - 2005
Member of the MAB National Committee, Egyptian National Commission of UNESCO, 2004
Member of the Egyptian Delegation to the Hague Diplomatic Conference for adoption of the Second Protocol of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict 1954, 1999
Legal Advisor of the Ministry of Public Works and Irrigation of Egypt Re: the Legal Protection of the Watercourses’ Environment, 1999
Representative of Egypt to the Vienna Expert Meeting convened to negotiate the Second Protocol of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict 1954, 1998
Legal Expert appointed by UNCTAD to evaluate and examine the Egyptian Laws and Regulations of Investment, 1998
Legal Advisor appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt to advice the representatives of Somali factions to restore peace in Somalia. And to drafter Cairo Declaration on Somalia, 1997

Professional experiences as Diplomat

Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Egypt to UNESCO, April 2012 – April 2016
Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Executive Board of UNESCO, July 2013 - November 2015
Deputy Head of Delegation to the General Conference of UNESCO, 2013 and 2015
Chairperson of the Group of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Group to UNESCO, March 2013 – March 2016
Member of Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Country of Origin or its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation, April 2012 – March 2016
Member of the G77 and China group to UNESCO , April 2012 – March 2016
Member of the African group at UNESCO April 2012 - March 2016
Member of the Francophone group at UNESCO, April 2012 – March 2016
Alternate of the Egyptian Representative to the Executive Board, April 2012 – July 2013 and November 2015 – March 2016
Member of International Campaign for the Establishment of the Nubia Museum in Aswan and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, April 2012 – March 2016
Chair of Non-Governmental Partner Committee, UNESCO Executive Board, 2013
Treasurer of the Arab Group to UNESCO, April 2012 – December 2015.
Chairperson of the International Support Group (ISG), for the Madrid Action Plan and the Secretariat of the MAB Programme, April 2012 – March 2016
Co-Chair for the Tripartite Working Group established by UNESCO for National Commission, Permanent Delegations and the Secretariat, 2012 - 2013
Vice-Chair of the Arab Group at UNESCO, 2012
Vice-Chair of UNESCO’s Headquarters Committee, 2012 - 2013
Member of the Ad-hoc group of the Executive Board, 2012 - 2013
Chairperson of the Group of Non-Aligned Movement group (le 15ème Sommet du Mouvement des non-alignés), 2012
Deputy Permanent Representative of Egypt to UNESCO, 2000 - 2004
Alternate of the Egyptian Representative to Executive Board of UNESCO, 2000 - 2004.
Representative of Egypt to the Intergovernmental Expert Meetings organized by UNESCO convened to negotiate the preliminary draft Convention against Doping in Sports, 2004
Member of Egyptian Delegation to the General Conference of UNESCO, 2001 and 2003
Representative of Egypt to the UNESCO’s Committee of Conventions and Recommendations, 2000 - 2004
Representative of Egypt at the UNESCO’s Legal Committee, 2000 - 2004
Legal Expert for the Global Ethics (Group 2), Sector of Social and Human Sciences UNESCO
Member of the Egyptian Delegation to the World Heritage Committee and the Committee’s Bureau during the 24th, 25th and 26th sessions, 2001 - 2004
Expert: The Practice of Rights in Education: A Renewed Commitment to Human Rights Education, UNESCO, 2003
Representative of Egypt at the Intergovernmental Expert Meetings convened to negotiate the preliminary draft Convention of the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, 2002 - 2003
Legal Expert appointed by the Director of UNESCO for the First Expert Meeting on the draft Declaration on the Intentional Destruction of Cultural Heritage, 2002.
Legal Expert: The Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea (IOC/ABE-LOS), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, Second Session, Morocco, 2002
Legal Expert appointed by UNESCO’s Director General for the 2nd Expert Meeting on the draft Recommendation on the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace, 2002
Legal Expert: The Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea (IOC/ABE-LOS), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, First Session, 2001
Representative of Egypt at the Third and Fourth Expert Meetings convened to negotiate the Underwater Cultural Heritage Convention, 2000 - 2001

Professional experiences as Attorney-at-Law, Legal Advisor and Arbitrator

Attorney-at-Law before the Egyptian Cassation Court and Supreme Administrative Court since 2011
Founding Partner of "Arab Legal Consultants" office, 2005 - 2012
Partner at Shalakany Law Office (Cairo), 1997 - 2000 and 2004 - 2005
Associate at Shalakany Law Office (Cairo), 1988 - 1992
Arbitrator at Cairo Regional Centre of International Commercial Arbitration

Intellectual endeavors and participation, in Regional and International Conferences and Workshops, as Chair of the Executive Board of UNESCO:

38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, tribute to the Chairperson of the Executive Board, UNESCO Headquarters, France, November 2015
38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, oral report within the context of the introduction to the General Policy Debate on the Executive Board activities and on its programme implementation in the 2014-2015 biennium, UNESCO Headquarters, France, November 2015
38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, opening remarks, UNESCO Headquarters, France, November 2015
Future Prospects Initiative, meeting “The Role of the Sciences in Building Inclusive Societies”, UNESCO Headquarters, France, October 2015 (Endeavour within Egyptian Presidency of the UNESCO Executive Board)
Inauguration of Renovation of UNESCO’s Executive Board Meeting Room and the Delegates’ Lounge , UNESCO Headquarters, France, October 2015
197th session of the Executive Board, closing remarks, UNESCO Headquarters, France, October 2015
Future Prospects Initiative, meeting with Mr Riad Toufic Salamé, Governor of the Banque du Liban, UNESCO Headquarters, France, October 2015 (Endeavour within Egyptian Presidency of the UNESCO Executive Board)
197th session of the Executive Board, opening remarks, UNESCO Headquarters, France, October 2015
Future Prospects Initiative, meeting on “Innovation as a driving force for development”, UNESCO Headquarters, France, June 2015 (Endeavour within Egyptian Presidency of the UNESCO Executive Board)
Youth and the Internet: Fighting Radicalization and Extremism , UNESCO Headquarters, France, June 2015
World Education Forum 2015, Incheon, Republic of Korea, May 2015
Second meeting of the Informal Task Force of the Executive Board on Governance, UNESCO Headquarters, France, May 2015
Future Prospects Initiative, meeting on “UNESCO and La Francophonie: Reinforcing Cooperation”, UNESCO Headquarters, France, April 2015 (Endeavour within Egyptian Presidency of the UNESCO Executive Board)
196th session of the Executive Board, closing remarks, UNESCO Headquarters, France, April 2015
196th session of the Executive Board, opening remarks, UNESCO Headquarters, France, April 2015
Future Prospects Initiative, meeting on “New Energy and Climate Change”, UNESCO Headquarters, France, March 2015 (Endeavour within Egyptian Presidency of the UNESCO Executive Board)
Future Prospects Initiative, meeting on “UNESCO and the Commonwealth: Empowering Youth”, UNESCO Headquarters, France, March 2015 (Endeavour within Egyptian Presidency of the UNESCO Executive Board)
Future Prospects Initiative, meeting on “Women for Science”, UNESCO Headquarters, France, March 2015
First meeting of the Informal Task Force of the Executive Board on Governance, UNESCO Headquarters, France, March 2015
2015 International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies, UNESCO Headquarters, France, January 2015
Future Prospects Initiative, meeting on “Science for Development and International Cooperation”, UNESCO Headquarters, France, January 2015
Future Prospects Initiative, meeting on “Science for Sustainable Development”, UNESCO Headquarters, France, December 2014
Future Prospects Initiative, meeting on “Climate Change and Sustainable Development”, UNESCO Headquarters, France, December 2014
High-level Roundtable on How to enhance policy support for Education for Sustainable Development at the UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development, Japan, November 2014
Future Prospects Initiative, meeting on “Women and Sustainable Development”, UNESCO Headquarters, France, November 2014
“Governance in UNESCO: the Role of the Executive Board” Meeting, UNESCO Headquarters, France, November 2014
70th Anniversary of UNESCO in Tribute to Nelson Mandela, UNESCO Headquarters, France, October 2014
195th session of the Executive Board, closing remarks, UNESCO Headquarters, France, October 2014
195th session of the Executive Board, opening remarks, UNESCO Headquarters, France, October 2014
Tribute to Edward Gough Whitlam, UNESCO Headquarters, France, October 2014
IV Baku International Humanitarian Forum: Prospects and Challenges in the 21st century in the realities of a globalizing world, Baku, Azerbaijan, October 2014
Célébration des 25 ans du concept de la Culture de la Paix : La paix dans l'esprit des hommes et des femmes, Côte d'Ivoire, septembre 2014
Inaugural meeting of the UNESCO at 70 and Future Prospects Initiative on UNESCO's role in the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda, UNESCO Headquarters, France, July 2014
38th session of the World Heritage Committee, Qatar, June 2014
International Conference on Language: Enhancing Language Ability and Education for the 21st Century, China, June 2014
United Nations Day of Vesak, Interfaith and Intercultural Awareness towards peace, UNESCO Headquarters, France, May 2014
Special Thematic Debate UN General Assembly: Culture and Sustainable Development in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, New York, USA, May 2014
194th session of the Executive Board, closing session, UNESCO Headquarters, France, April 2014
194th session of the Executive Board, opening session, UNESCO Headquarters, France, April 2014
Information meeting of the Executive Board with the Director General, opening remarks, UNESCO Headquarters, France, February 2014
80th birthday of Mr Federico Mayor, UNESCO Headquarters, France, February 2014

Intellectual Participation in Regional and International Conferences and Workshops

Workshop on “Sovereignty and International Watercourses”, Bergen University (Norway), 2012
World Water Council, 6ème Forum mondial de l'eau Marseille, 2012
Workshop: Blue for Peace (The Nile), Zurich, February, 2012
Workshop: Countering Antiquities Trafficking at Egypt's Ports and Border, organized by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement Homeland Security Investigation and Egyptian Ministry of State for Antiquities, 2011. (Speaker)
Workshop: "Freshwater and International Law: The Multiple Challenges", Conference organized by Geneva University, Geneva, 2011
"For the Preservation of the Cultural Heritage in Libya - A Dialogue among Institutions", Conference organized by Ministry of Italian Foreign Affairs, Second University of Naples and UNESCO, Caserta - Italy, 2011 (Speaker)
Conference “The International Protection of Cultural Property at the Time of Armed Conflict and Occupation, ICRC, Beirut, 2011 (Speaker)
UNESCO International Conference on Transboundary Aquifers: Challenges and New Directions (ISARM), 2010
Conference “International Humanitarian Law”, ICRC, Damascus, 2010 (Speaker)
Conference “International Humanitarian Law in Arab Region”, ICRC, Beirut, 2010 (Speaker)
Conference “International Humanitarian Law to Academicians”, ICRC, Tunisia, 2008 (Speaker)
Conference “International Humanitarian Law to Academicians”, ICRC, Cairo, 2008 (Speaker)
ALECSO Conference (18th session) on Monuments and Cultural Heritage in the Arab World, Algeria, 2007 (Speaker)
Fourth Symposium on International Humanitarian Law in Arab Region”, ICRC, Cairo, 2007 (Speaker)
Workshop on “International Humanitarian Law’ for Egyptian Judges, ICRC, Cairo, 2007 (Speaker)
ALECSO Conference on Cultural Diversity and Respect of Cultural Identity, Aleppo – Syria, September 2006 (Speaker)
Regional Conference for Arab Diplomats, ICRC, Abu Dhabi, 2006 (Speaker)
Third Symposium on International Humanitarian Law in Arab Region”, ICRC, Beirut, 2006 (Speaker)
Conference on “International Protection of Cultural Heritage at Time of Armed Conflict”, Beirut Arab University, 2004 (Speaker)
Workshop on “Training of Trainers in the Field of International Humanitarian Law”, ICRC, Rabat, 2005 (Speaker)
First Symposium on International Humanitarian Law in Arab Region”, ICRC, Beirut, 2004 (Speaker)
Cairo International Conference to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Heritage at the Time of Armed Conflict (1954), Cairo, 2004 (Speaker)
Workshop: "The Legal Tools for World Heritage Conservation" was held in Siena, Italy, UNESCO, World Heritage Centre and the University of Siena, 2002
The Curatorium of the Hague Academy of International Law, Centre for Studies and Research, 2001
ICRC – Graduate Institute Training Seminar on the International Humanitarian Law for University Teachers, Geneva – Switzerland, 2000