Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad Presents his credentials to UN Secretary General, takes over as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to UN

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad presented his credentials as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the U.N. to H.E. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, today.

During their meeting, Ambassador Asim reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to multilateralism and the principles of the UN Charter. Secretary-General Guterres congratulated Ambassador Asim on his new role and extended his best wishes for a successful tenure.

Ambassador Asim has replaced Ambassador Munir Akram, who left his position as Pakistan’s PR after completing his tenure on March 31, 2025.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad joined Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1993. In a diplomatic career spanning three decades, he has made his mark working across regions from Europe and Africa to Asia and the United Nations at various positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan's Missions abroad.

From November 2022 to December 2024, he was Pakistan’s Ambassador to France and Monaco, and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

Before assuming post in Paris, Ambassador Asim held key assignment as the Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson from August 2021 to November 2022. Simultaneously during that period he headed first the Asia Pacific Division and then the United Nations & Economic Diplomacy Division as Additional Foreign Secretary.

Previously, he served as Pakistan's Ambassador to Thailand from 2017 to 2021. His first diplomatic assignment was in Niamey, Niger (1997-2000). At the Foreign Ministry he has also carried out responsibilities in the Personnel, Europe and Africa Divisions.

The Ambassador has distinguished himself in particular in multilateral diplomacy, from leadership positions at the Ministry, to important roles and assignments at the United Nations in New York and Geneva, besides being the country's Permanent Representative to UNESCAP (Bangkok) and UNESCO (Paris) where he was also the Vice Chair (Asia Pacific Group) in the Executive Board and Vice Chair of the General Conference.

He has represented Pakistan in major Summits and Conferences including the African Union, OIC, NAM, ASEAN and ASEM as well as UN General Assembly's Annual Sessions from 2003-2008, 2011-2016 & 2022. He also served as the Deputy Chef de Cabinet of the President of the UN General Assembly from 2009-2010.

Ambassador Asim was a key member of Pakistan Team at the Security Council twice, in 2003-2004, and again in 2012-2013 when he was also Pakistan's Political Coordinator in the Council. He represented Pakistan in the Mission of the Security Council to West Africa (June-July 2003), Mission of the Security Council Sanctions Committee concerning Somalia (November 2003), Extraordinary Meeting of the Security Council held in Nairobi on Sudan and Somalia (November 2004), and the Security Council Mission to the Great Lakes Region in October 2013. He has been member of Pakistan delegation to the UN Peacebuilding Commission. He has represented Pakistan at the UN Human Rights Council, and the review of Pakistan's reports to the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Committee Against Torture (CAT).

Heading the UN Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he oversaw a wide range of areas from peace and security to development, climate change and human rights at Pakistan's Missions in New York, Geneva, Rome, Vienna, Paris and Nairobi, besides the work of the UN system in Pakistan. His prior experience in New York (2003-9 & 2012-14) included responsibilities for political, peace and security and reform issues, acting as the focal point for the Security Council, reform of the Security Council, political issues in the General Assembly, Special Political and Decolonization (4th) Committee, conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peace-building.

Ambassador Asim is a graduate of the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore (1991, Electrical Engineering, Gold Medal), and the University of the Punjab, Lahore (1988, Bachelor of Arts, Gold Medal).

Born on 27 November 1966 in Lahore, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad is married and has three daughters. He speaks French, and plays golf, tennis, snooker and cricket.