Munir Akram
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Ambassador Munir Akram is the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York City.
Since joining the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1967, Ambassador Munir Akram has had a distinguished diplomatic career spanning over 38 years. As Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Akram has represented Pakistan in numerous United Nations bodies and international conferences, including the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Conference on Disarmament, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, and the World Trade Organization. From 1995 to 2002, he represented Pakistan as Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva (1995-2002), and prior to that Ambassador Akram filled a number of important diplomatic positions, such as Additional Foreign Secretary in Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1992-1995); Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Community, Belgium and Luxembourg (1988-1992); Director for United Nations, Economic Cooperation and Policy Planning, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1985-1988); and as Minister/Counsellor in Pakistan’s Embassy to Japan (Tokyo, 1982-1985).
Foremost among the many positions he has held in various intergovernmental organizations are Member of the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament; Chairman of the WTO Trade Policy Review Body; Chairman of the Group of 77 in Geneva (1997); President of the Conference on Disarmament (June 1996) and twice President of the Security Council (May 2003 and May 2004).
Ambassador Akram is a prolific writer and has lectured widely on various strategic, political and economic issues. He holds Masters of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees from University of Karachi, Pakistan.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution, selfless service and devotion to the country and par excellence performance in the field of diplomacy and foreign policy, the President of Pakistan has conferred upon him the award of Hilal-i-Quaid-e-Azam.
On 10 January 2003 many newspapers around the world reported that Mr. Akram assaulted his mistress and beat her up in a December 2002 incident. The US authorities requested Pakistan to lift his diplomatic immunity to enable them to prosecute him. However, Pakistan did not do that.
