Philémon Yang

Philémon Yunji Yang (born 14 June 1947 ) is a Cameroonian politician who served as Prime Minister of Cameroon from 2009 to 2019, having previous held various ministerial and diplomatic roles. He is the longest-serving Prime Minister in Cameroonian history. In June 2024 he was elected to serve as President of the United Nations General Assembly for its seventy-ninth session, starting in September 2024.

Early life and education
Yang was born in Jikejem-Oku, in the Oku subivision of the Bui division of the Northwest Region of Cameroon. He studied law at the University of Yaoundé.

Early appointments
Yang served as a prosecutor at the Buea court of appeal before being appointed to the government in 1975 as Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration. In 1979 he became Minister of Mines and Energy, remaining in that position until he was dismissed from the government in 1984.

Ambassador and High Commissioner in Canada
Yang served as Ambassador to Canada from 1984 to 1995 − and as High Commissioner in Canada from 1995 to 2004, after Cameroon joined the Commonwealth of Nations. He also served as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Canada for about 10 years. His time in Ottawa was dedicated to securing foreign aid for his country, despite Canadian concerns about human rights abuses and corruption. Along with other representatives of African countries, he was pleased by Canada's commitment to debt relief in 2000. He headed Cameroon's delegation in negotiations on the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety from 1998 to 2000, and after the Protocol was adopted he chaired the Intergovernmental Committee for the Cartagena Protocol.

Return to domestic politics
In 2004 Yang was appointed Assistant Secretary-General of the Presidency of Cameroon. In 2008 he became chair of the board of directors of the Cameroon Airlines Corporation.

Prime Minister of Cameroon
On 30 June 2009 President Paul Biya appointed Yang as Prime Minister of Cameroon, replacing Ephraïm Inoni. Yang's appointment marked the largest government shake-up since his predecessor was appointed in 2004. Biya stated on state radio that three ministers from the previous government had switched places, six new names were added while six portfolios were cut entirely. The opposition said that it did not expect a great deal of change due in part to the continuance of a large government. It had been hoping for 30 ministerial positions to be cut, but there remained over 60 ministers. The reshuffle was believed to have been spurred by public anger over rising food prices and discontent with high levels of government corruption. Adding to this, the move was seen as an attempt by Biya to shore up support for the next presidential election in 2011. In addition to Yang, new ministers were appointed for defence, posts and telecommunications, communication, education, promotion of women, water and energy, and sports.

Yang stepped down as Prime Minister on 4 January 2019.

President of the United Nations General Assembly
On 6 June 2024 Yang was elected to serve as President of the United Nations General Assembly for its seventy-ninth session. He will succeed Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago in September 2024.