H.E. Amb. Philémon Yang

H.E. Ambassador Philemon Yang is a seasoned diplomat with a track record of experience. 

Internally, he served as Prime Minister, Head of Government, from 2009 to 2019. In this capacity, he represented the Head of State at various important high-level regional and international meetings. He has held other important government positions, including Vice-Minister of Territorial Administration (1975-1979), Minister of Mines and Energy (1979-1984), and Minister, Deputy Secretary General at the Presidency of the Republic (2004-2009). Since 2020 he has been serving as the Grand Chancellor of National Orders at the Presidency of the Republic. 

Internationally, Mr. Philemon Yang served as Cameroon’s High Commissioner to Canada (1984-2004), where during 14 years he doubled as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. He has led Cameroonian delegations to high-level economic summits in Washington D.C, London, New Delhi and several other capitals. At the African level, he took part in various sessions of the African Union (AU) Conference of Heads of State and Government, including the Summit on the institutional reform of the African Union. He has held the position of Chairperson of the Panel of Eminent Africans of the African Union, since February 2020. This Panel is, among other things, responsible for examining candidacies for important positions within the African Union, such as those of African Union Commissioners.

As far as UN activities are concerned, Mr. Philemon Yang was Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. He is also fervently committed to humanitarian issues, respect for human rights and dignity, the rule of law, respect for nature and the environment, the fight against climate change, and the reform and renewal of the UN. 

His vision and commitment are based on the ideals, objectives and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter concerning peace, security, economic and social development, and respect for human rights, including the advancement of women, children and people with disabilities. 

Born on June 14, 1947 in Jikejem-Oku in the North-West Region of Cameroon, Ambassador Philemon Yang is a Cameroonian politician, and a magistrate by training. He is a graduate in law from the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon. After that he also graduated from the National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM). Mr. Yang went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in International Law from the University of Ottawa, Canada, and a Master of Business Administration from Century University in the USA. He is married to Linda YANG and father of three children.