Asim Iftikhar Ahmed assumes role as Pakistan’s permanent representative to UN

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmed has officially assumed his role as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations after presenting his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. During the ceremony, Ambassador Asim reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the UN Charter and multilateral diplomacy.

Secretary-General Guterres congratulated Asim Iftikhar Ahmed on his new position and extended best wishes for his tenure. Ambassador Asim succeeds Munir Akram, who stepped down on March 31, 2025, after completing his term.

Asim Iftikhar Ahmed joined Pakistan’s Foreign Service in 1993 and has held key diplomatic positions across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the UN. He has also served in Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry and various diplomatic missions.

From November 2022 to December 2024, he was Pakistan’s Ambassador to France and Monaco, as well as Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. Before that, he served as Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson from August 2021 to November 2022.

His diplomatic career includes assignments as Pakistan’s Additional Foreign Secretary for both the Asia-Pacific Division and the United Nations & Economic Diplomacy Division. From 2017 to 2021, he was Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand. His first diplomatic posting was in Niamey, Niger (1997-2000), and he has also worked in the Personnel, Europe, and Africa Divisions of the Foreign Ministry.

Ambassador Asim has played a pivotal role in multilateral diplomacy, holding leadership positions at the UN in New York and Geneva. He represented Pakistan at UNESCAP and UNESCO, serving as Vice President of the Asia-Pacific Group at UNESCO’s Executive Board and Vice President of the UNESCO General Conference.

He has attended UN General Assembly sessions (2003-2008, 2011-2016, 2022) and represented Pakistan at the African Union, OIC, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), ASEAN, and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). In 2009-2010, he was Deputy Chief of Cabinet to the UN General Assembly President.

Mr. Ahmad holds a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Punjab, both in Lahore, Pakistan.

As a key member of Pakistan’s UN Security Council team in 2003-2004 and 2012-2013, he served as Political Coordinator and represented Pakistan in crucial UNSC missions on West Africa, Somalia, Sudan, and the Great Lakes region.

At the Foreign Ministry, he led the UN Division, working on peace and security, climate change, development, and human rights. His expertise extends across political and security affairs, peacekeeping, UN reforms, and conflict resolution.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmed brings decades of experience to his new role, reaffirming Pakistan’s active engagement in global diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.