Groser's campaign to become WTO Director-General. As a Russian-language speaker Vitalis' focus during Minister Groser's campaign was on the WTO Members of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Vitalis is believed to have travelled to Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan where he lobbied those countries on behalf of the New Zealand Minister. New Zealand Mission to Geneva, Switzerland (2015-2017) Vangelis then served as New Zealand’s Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva where he chaired the agriculture negotiations in a personal capacity. In this role he helped draft the text of the historic Nairobi WTO Ministerial Decision. Chair of the APEC 2021 Senior Officials Meeting On the fifth of March 2020, Vitalis was appointed Chair of the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) during the New Zealand hosting of APEC in 2021. He would go on to state that hosting APEC was a definitive career highlight stating "I’m a genuinely big believer in the public good dimension of APEC, I think it’s a really important thing. And so for me, it’s without question the most exciting thing that I’ve done." Education Vitalis is believed to have attended schools in England, Germany (Andreanum, Hannover), Fiji (Veiuto Primary School, Suva) and in New Zealand. (Intermediate Normal) where his batting for the third eleven cricket team is still remembered (Palmerston North Boys High School).Where he was well known for his extensive Pink Floyd record collection. He studied at Auckland University (where he was also the co-editor of the Student Association's controversial newspaper, Craccum, in 1993) and Harvard. In addition to English, Vitalis speaks German, Greek and Russian. Personal life A Greek-New Zealander, Vitalis' parents emigrated to New Zealand in 1980. Vitalis is married to Tanya Jurado. Notes External links Hellenes Abroad, 4 March 2011 New Zealand public servants University of Auckland alumni Harvard University alumni New Zealand people of Greek descent Living people 1969 births Ambassadors of New Zealand to the European Union Ambassadors of New Zealand to Belgium Ambassadors of New Zealand to Bulgaria Ambassadors of New Zealand to Romania Ambassadors of New Zealand to Luxembourg Heads of mission of New Zealand to NATO Permanent Representatives of New Zealand to the World Trade Organization