Tone Kajzer
Ambassador of Slovenia to the United States and the guest speaker for MASUN 32.
For years, George Mason Model United Nations club has partnered together to create cultural exchanges and guest speaker events. Most recently, our club visited the Slovenian Embassy on European Open House Day!
Ambassador of Slovenia to the United States and the guest speaker for MASUN 32.
After receiving a joint degree in economics and international relations from the University of Maribor, Kajzer joined his young country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1995, four years after gaining its independence from Yugoslavia.
His first foreign posting took him to the Slovenian Embassy in Egypt as Second Secretary for Economic Affairs (1996-2000). As Head of Department for Croatia in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he actively participated in resolving outstanding issues between the two countries. In 2008, he was appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Finland and to Estonia, where he devoted most of his time and energy to enhancing relations and cooperation. From 2013 until 2018, Kajzer served as Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the Kingdom of Denmark. H.E. Tone Kajzer has been the Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington since January 2021, where he serves as the Ambassador to the United States of America, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica. His tenure has covered the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2021 and the campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, set to begin in 2024.
Slovenia is a persistent and firm advocate of the strengthening of transatlantic cooperation and is an ally in the fight against terrorism and proliferation; in March 2004, Slovenia became a NATO member, and in June of 2005 Slovenia endorsed the Proliferation Security Initiative.
With US support, Slovenia created International Trust Fund for Enhancing Human Security (ITF), before 2011 known as International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance. ITF activities in Southeast Europe have contributed to the successful completion of landmine clearance activities across the region.
The United States formally recognized Slovenia on April 7, 1992. Since Slovenia's independence, the United States and Slovenia have developed strong relations and partnerships on various issues, from promoting regional security to developing closer bilateral trade and investment ties.