Prayono Atiyanto

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Prayono Atiyanto (born May 2, 1958, in Surabaya) is an Indonesian diplomat who became Indonesia’s first resident ambassador to Azerbaijan, serving from 2011 to 2016. Before that, he was the South America and Caribbean director in the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.

He studied political science at the University of Indonesia from 1978 to 1983 and joined the foreign service in 1984. He began his career in the Africa and Middle East directorate, then moved to the directorate of economic relations among developing countries. His first overseas posting was in London (1988–1992), handling economic matters.

From 1995 to 1999 he served at Indonesia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York as first secretary for economic affairs I, and in 1998 he chaired negotiators for the Group of 77 and China on UN General Assembly Committee V (Administration and Budget). He returned to Indonesia in 1999 as head of administration at the General Bureau of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, then served as assistant to the secretary general.

From 2003 to 2007 he was again at the Indonesian mission to the UN in New York as minister counselor and coordinator of economic function I, and he held leadership roles such as vice chairman of the UN Commission for Social Development in 2004 and coordinator of the ASEAN delegation on UN General Assembly Committee II (Economic and Financial) from 2004 to 2007. In 2007 he became the South American and Caribbean director in the foreign ministry.

Indonesia opened its embassy in Baku in 2010, and Prayono was chosen as the first resident ambassador to Azerbaijan. He was sworn in December 2011 and presented his credentials in February 2012. He left the post in January 2016. During his time in Azerbaijan, trade grew and cultural ties strengthened.

After Azerbaijan, he worked on Asian‑African intra- and inter-regional cooperation, mentoring younger diplomats and promoting Indonesia’s coffee diplomacy and the Kopi brand. He retired in May 2023.