Ambassador Munir Akram

After a diplomatic career spanning 50 years, Ambassador Munir Akram recently retired from his role as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN and the Security Council.

During this second term as Ambassador (Permanent Representative) to the UN since November 2019, Ambassador Akram was elected as the President of the UN Economic and Social Council (2020-21) and Chair of the Group of 77 (developing countries) in 2022. He also led a group of “likeminded” countries in the negotiations of the “Pact of the Future” and the “Global Digital Compact” adopted by the world’s leaders in September 2024. In June 2024, Ambassador Akram secured Pakistan’s election to the UN Security Council with the overwhelming support of 182 countries.

Ambassador Akram served in the same position as Permanent Representative to the UN in New York between 2002-08 when he was twice President of the UN Security Council (May 2003 and May 2004), President of the Economic and Social Council (2005) and Chair of the Group of 77 ( 2006).

Prior to that Ambassador Akram was Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN and WTO in Geneva (1995-2002), during which he was Chair of the Conference on Disarmament, the WTO’s Trade Policy Committee, and the negotiating groups on the accession of Saudi Arabia and Oman to the WTO. He led the developing countries’ group at the WTO Ministerial Conferences in Singapore, Seattle and Doha.

During his extensive career, Ambassador Akram has established close relationships with key leaders and decision makers in the Middle East, especially the GCC, and other developing countries, including Presidents, Prime Ministers, members of ruling families, senior official and heads of international financial and other institutions.

Ambassador Akram’s expertise and advice in global and multilateral diplomacy are highly sought after by governments, corporations, civil society and international organizations. He continues to write and lecture extensively on global security, development and investment issues.

After retiring from his UN post in 2008, Ambassador Akram established and operated (between 2008 to 2019) a successful business and financial advisory company which identified and brought high value investment opportunities (Hedge Funds, private equity, real estate, infrastructure and technology) to an extensive network of investors ( SWFs, Pension Funds, banks and family offices) mainly in the GCC and China. He has revived this business and advisory work.

Ambassador Akram lives between New York and Geneva.

He holds a master’s degree in political science and a bachelor’s degree in law.

In recognition of his services, Ambassador Akram was conferred the highest civil award (Hilal e Quad e Azam) by the President of Pakistan.

Categories: , , , , , ,

Show More