Ivan Barbalić (born in Sarajevo, 1975) is a Bosnian and Herzegovinian diplomat serving as a Permanent Representative to the United Nations accredited as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Chief of the Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Office of the United Nations. He was elected by the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina upon proposal from the Presiding member of the Presidency, Mr. Željko Komšić. Ivan is nephew of Mr Željko Jerkić, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ivan is married to Stela Vasić who is personal assistant to Dr. Nikola Špirić, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He graduated from the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA and the interdisciplinary postgraduate study on Human Rights in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has been active in Non-Governmental sector, he was one of ACIPS founders.[1]
Barbalić was born in 1975 in Sarajevo, as the last generation of born in Koševo, a suburbia of Sarajevo. He grew up in a harmonious family in Mejtaš, right beside the Elementary School named after Miljenko Cvitković. He began writing lyrics before started his elementary education, creating songs for Davor Ebner, Tinka Milinović, Igor Žerajić, Almas and the Erogenous Zones. Reportedly he never sold any lyrics or songs, creating them for free as he considers himself a musician.[2] He is the son of Nikola Barbalić, former University Professor of the Mechanical Engineering, and excelling Volleyball Athlete.[3] He is also a member of the Croatian community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Barbalić was the President of the United Nations Security Council in January 2011.