His Excellency Mr José Jairo Herandez Milian

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica

Biography

Ambassador Hernandez is a Costa Rican citizen, with experience in the public and private sector, the international arena and academia. He is currently Ambassador to Australia. 

Ambassador Hernandez previously served as Ambassador to Singapore from 2012 to 2017, and as the Dean of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps from 2016 to 2017. Prior to that, he was the Director-General of Foreign Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica from 2010 to 2012, in which capacity he travelled extensively with his country’s President and Foreign Minister. From 2009 to 2010, he was the Deputy Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations, in a period when Costa Rica was a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. He was the Chief Director of the President of Costa Rica’s Office from 1994 to 1998.

Ambassador Hernandez has extensive international experience. He holds a Certificate of Specialization in Latin American Studies (University of Brasilia), a Licenciatura Degree in Law and Political Science (University of Costa Rica) and a Masters of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (Tufts University, The Fletcher School of Law). He represented Latin America and the Caribbean as Member of the Executive Council from 1984 to 1987 and as Vice President of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations from 1991 to 1995.