The United Nations has appointed veteran Bangladeshi diplomat Rabab Fatima as the new head of its political mission in Afghanistan, entrusting her with leading international engagement as the country continues to grapple with humanitarian, economic and human rights challenges under Taliban rule.
UN Secretary General António Guterres announced Fatima’s appointment as the Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). She succeeds Roza Otunbayeva of Kyrgyzstan, whose term is coming to an end.
Fatima brings decades of diplomatic experience to the role, having previously served as Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and most recently as the UN Under Secretary General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.
As head of UNAMA, she will oversee the United Nations’ political, humanitarian and development efforts in Afghanistan, while engaging with the Taliban authorities, humanitarian agencies and international partners. Her responsibilities will include promoting humanitarian access, supporting human rights, encouraging inclusive governance and coordinating international assistance.
The appointment comes at a time when Afghanistan continues to face severe economic hardship, widespread food insecurity and restrictions on the rights of women and girls. The United Nations has repeatedly expressed concern over the country’s humanitarian situation and continues to call on the Taliban to reverse policies limiting access to education, employment and public life for women.
UNAMA remains the principal UN mission in Afghanistan, playing a central role in humanitarian coordination and diplomatic engagement as the international community seeks to address the country’s ongoing crises.
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