The new Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations, Ambassador Aglaia “Aghi” Balta, officially presented her credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres this week.
Balta assumes this prestigious diplomatic post following Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris and brings with her decades of experience representing Greece on the global stage. Until recently, she served as Greece’s ambassador to Spain.
For Balta, however, the assignment in New York feels like a homecoming. She began her diplomatic career in 1984 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens, and in 2007 was appointed Consul General of Greece in New York—one of the most visible and demanding positions in the Greek foreign service.
During her tenure in New York until 2011, Balta left an indelible mark on the Greek American community. Known for her grace, warmth, and inclusivity, she opened the doors of the Consulate to the wider public, transforming it into a hub of cultural diplomacy. She hosted countless events featuring artists, filmmakers, officials, and other prominent Greeks, giving the Greek Consulate—and by extension Greece itself—a fresh, modern face.
Beyond Manhattan, Balta tirelessly criss-crossed New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the four-state region of the Consulate’s jurisdiction, maintaining a packed schedule of visits to churches, schools, community organizations, and local events. Her outreach strengthened bonds between Greece and its diaspora in the United States, building goodwill that is still remembered fondly today.
Her distinguished career has also included service as Consul at the General Consulate of Greece in London (1991–1995), Ambassador of Greece to France (2018–2022), Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2022–2024), and most recently, Ambassador of Greece to Spain.
Now, returning to New York in a new capacity, Ambassador Balta brings with her both the experience of a seasoned diplomat and the familiarity of someone who has already earned the respect and admiration of the community.
