Nahida Sobhan
Nahida Sobhan | |
|---|---|
নাহিদা সোবহান | |
| Ambassador of Bangladesh to Switzerland and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Office in Geneva | |
| Assumed office May 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Tareq Md Ariful Islam |
| High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada | |
| In office 30 May 2024 – May 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Khalilur Rahman |
| Succeeded by | Md. Jashim Uddin |
| Ambassador of Bangladesh to Jordan | |
| In office 21 February 2020 – August 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Muhammad Enayet Hossain[1] |
| Succeeded by | Noor-e-Helal Saifur Rahman |
| Personal details | |
| Alma mater | University of Dhaka (MA) |
Nahida Sobhan is a Bangladeshi diplomat. She is incumbent ambassador of Bangladesh to Switzerland and the permanent representative of Bangladesh of the United Nations Office at Geneva since May 2025.[2] She became the first female diplomat representing Bangladesh in the Middle East as she became ambassador to Jordan on 21 February 2020.[3][4] Earlier, she served as the director general of the UN Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[5]
Education
Sobhan completed her SSC from Agrani Girls' School in 1984 and HSC from Holy Cross College in 1986.[6] She holds a bachelor of arts (honors) and a master's degree in English literature from the University of Dhaka in 1992 and in 1994 respectively.[6]
Sohan was trained in public international law at The Hague Academy of International Law in Netherlands.[7] She also obtained a diploma in international relations from the Institute of Public Administration in Paris, France.[7] She is equally fluent in French, English and Bengali.[7][8]
Career
Sobhan is a career foreign service officer, belonging to 15th batch of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) foreign affairs cadre.[9] She served in various capacities at Bangladesh missions in Rome, Kolkata and Geneva.[9]
Sobhan was the director general of the United Nations wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[10] She stated that the Murder of Abrar Fahad "was not linked to freedom of expression,” after calling UN Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo.[11][12]
In February 2020, Sobhan was appointed Ambassador of Bangladesh to Jordan, the first Bangladeshi woman ambassador in the Middle East.[13] She provided aid to the International Committee of Red Cross for earthquake victims in Syria.[14]
Sobhan was appointed Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada in May 2024 and server until May 2025.[15]
Personal life
Sobhan is married and has a son, and a daughter.[16]
References
- ^ "Nahida Sobhan made ambassador to Jordan". New Age. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "New Permanent Representative of Bangladesh Presents Credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva". www.ungeneva.org. 1 October 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
- ^ "First Bangladeshi female envoy to Mideast vows to promote women's cause". The Daily Star. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "King accepts credentials of new ambassadors to Jordan". kingabdullah.jo. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "Nahida Sobhan, 1st female ambassador in the Middle East". Dhaka Tribune. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
- ^ a b "Brief Curriculum Vitae of Nahida Sobhan, Ambassador of Bangladesh". amman.mofa.gov.bd. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ a b c "Nahida Sobhan new envoy to Jordan". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
- ^ "Nahida Sobhan new Bangladesh ambassador to Jordan". UNB. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
- ^ a b "Bangladesh appoints Nahida Sobhan as first female ambassador in Middle East". bdnews24.com. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
- ^ "Abrar Murder: 'No link with freedom of expression'". The Daily Star. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "Abrar Murder: 'No link with freedom of expression'". The Daily Star. 14 October 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "Diplomats' remarks over Abrar murder unnecessary: FM". The Daily Star. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "First Bangladeshi female envoy to Mideast vows to promote women's cause". The Daily Star. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "Bangladesh hands over relief to Int'l Red Cross". The Daily Star. 12 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ Islam Hasib, Nurul (30 May 2024). "Bangladesh appoints Nahida Sobhan as new High Commissioner to Canada". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ মধ্যপ্রাচ্যে প্রথম বাংলাদেশি নারী রাষ্ট্রদূত নাহিদা. bdnews24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 31 December 2019.