Blaise Rabetafika

Joseph Albert Blaise Rabetafika (3 February 1932 – 17 December 2000) was a Malagasy diplomat. He was Permanent Representative of Madagascar to the United Nations from 1969 to 1992, Malagasy Ambassador to Canada from 1970 to 1989, and Ambassador to Cuba from 1974 to 1992. In March 1985 and later in June 1986, he served as President of the United Nations Security Council.

Early life and family Rabetafika was born on 3 February 1932 in Antananarivo, in what was then French Madagascar. The second of Albert Joseph Rabetafika, a teacher, and Ramboahangimalala Hélène, a weaver, he had an older brother, Roland. His father's family were Protestant.

Diplomatic career From 1960 to 1963, he was the advisor for cultural affairs at the Madagascar delegation in France. He served concurrently as the Malagasy Ambassador to Canada and the Ambassador to Cuba, beginning in 1970 and 1974, respectively. He was noted by some to have been considered as a successor to Javier Pérez de Cuéllar or Boutros Boutros-Ghali as Secretary-General of the United Nations, but this never came to fruition. He was, to this day, the only representative of Madagascar to serve in the position. and jazz musician Serge Rahoërson. He played the violin and enjoyed jazz and classical music.

Awards and honors Rabetafika has been awarded honors from countries including France, Germany, Japan, China, Liberia, Malawi, Senegal, Ethiopia, and the Philippines. He was a member of the International Association of Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, and served on its board of directors beginning in 1990. Other awards and honors include: Mercure d'or international, 1985 Grand Knight, National Order of the Republic of Madagascar