Cecilia Julin

Julin began her diplomatic career in 1984 and has held postings in Slovakia, Peru, Israel, and the United States. She has also held positions in the trade policy and regional divisions for the Americas. From 2006 to 2011, she served as the Minister of Trade and European Union's chief of cabinet; head of the department of Press and Communications on 20 February 2009;^[3] and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.^[2]

Julin was appointed in September 2011, as Sweden's ambassador to Spain and non-resident ambassador to Andorra.^[2] In January 2012, she would arrive in Madrid.^[4] In Madrid on 10 January, King Juan Carlos I welcomed her, to the Royal Palace.^[5] "My husband Anders and I are going to miss Spain, a wonderful country, very much, and, in particular, Madrid, an unknown jewel that I always recommend Swedish people to visit," declared the Swedish Ambassador, who would continue to represent her nation in South Africa. She has largely succeeded in achieving this, as seen by the 29% rise in Swedish visitors to Madrid in 2015.^[4]

Julin has been named ambassador to Pretoria by the Swedish government on 2 June 2016. Later in September, she would begin her new job.^[6] She paid ACCORD House a visit on 6 June 2017. She arrived in South Africa in 2016 to assume the role of new Swedish ambassador.^[7] Billy Modise received the Order of the Polar Star on 16 November 2017, from Julin. This honour was awarded by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.^[8] On 2 December 2019, the Goal Tracker portal for South Africa has been opened by Julin, and Risenga Maluleke. With the help of the Goal Tracker project, citizens and decision-makers can monitor the SDGs' progress and pinpoint areas that need immediate attention.^[9]

• Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (GYC; 13 January 2017)^[10]