Special Representative of the Federal Government for Afghanistan and Pakistan

Ambassador Michael Koch
© dpa, Brakemeier

Ambassador Michael Koch

Ambassador Michael Koch

© dpa, Brakemeier

As Special Representative of the Federal Government for Afghanistan and Pakistan since April 2012, Ambassador Michael Koch is shaping and coordinating Germany’s diplomatic engagement with the region and exploring with international partners ways to enhance stability there.

Mandate of the Special Representative

The Special Representative’s task is to focus and strengthen diplomatic activities in the region. To that end, he is in close contact with international partners and allies both within the region and beyond. Since April 2012, Ambassador Dr Koch has been chair of the International Contact Group on Afghanistan and Pakistan, which comprises over 50 states and international organizations. The Special Representative’s tasks include the compilation of an annual progress report on Afghanistan, which is drawn up in cooperation with all Federal Ministries involved in the Afghanistan mission for the information of the members of the German Bundestag. Within the Federal Foreign Office, the Special Representative is supported by the Task Force Afghanistan/Pakistan.

Ambassador Koch has many years of experience

Michael Koch has worked for the Federal Foreign Office since 1986 and has many years of diplomatic experience in and with the countries of South Asia. He has been dealing with the region since 2001. From 2001 to 2004 he was head of the Political Section at the German Embassy in India. He then headed the Special Task Force for Afghanistanat the Federal Foreign Office (2004-2008). Before taking up his current post, he was Germany’s Ambassador in Islamabad from 2008 to 2012.

Last updated 07.12.2012