Professor Anil Sooklal is the Ambassador at Large: Asia and BRICS at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. He is also South Africa’s BRICS Sherpa, IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) Sherpa and Focal Point for IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation). He is the holder of two doctorates from the University of KwaZulu Natal. Ambassador Sooklal served as Deputy Director-General responsible for Asia and the Middle East, Department of International Relations and Cooperation, until 31 January 2022. He was also South Africa’s G20 Sherpa and FOCAC (Forum for China-Africa Cooperation). He also served as South Africa’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg, from 2006 to 2012 and also at South Africa’s  Missions in Geneva and New Delhi. Before joining government in 1995, he followed an academic career, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Ambassador Sooklal has published more than 20 articles in both local and international Journals. The ambassador is a recipient of several fellowships and awards, including the Fellowship in Human Rights, United Nations Centre for Human Rights, Geneva (1993) amongst many others.