UN body makes Pakistani businessman ambassador

The Intergovernmental Institution for the Use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), an autonomous inter-governmental observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, has appointed UAE based Pakistani businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor as a pro bono ambassador at large.

“Umar Farooq has been named as Pro Bono Ambassador at Large within the Secretary General’s office,” according to a letter from Remigio Maradona, MSA, the Permanent Secretary General.

This position is designed to bolster IIMSAM’s efforts in the fight against malnutrition.

In its letter to Zahoor, IIMSAM states that the ambassador will help combat malnutrition by managing the global free distribution of Spirulina, focusing on underserved areas, especially in Pakistan, in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2020-2030.

His appointment as a pro bono ambassador at large, according to the letter issued by IIMSAM, supports the organisation’s mandate to combat malnutrition by facilitating the free distribution of spirulina to disadvantaged sectors internationally, particularly in Pakistan, in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2020-2030 under the Decade of Action.

IIMSAM functions as an independent intergovernmental observer to the UN Economic and Social Council, a role granted by ECOSOC Resolution 2003. The organisation is pivotal in addressing global malnutrition by promoting and distributing Spirulina, a highly nutritious micro-alga.

Some of the other prominent personalities appointed recently as IIMSAM’s goodwill ambassadors are Sheikha Roda Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Moaza Obaid Suhail Al Maktoum, Sheikh Juma Bin Juma Al Maktoum and Princess Basma Bin Talal.

Last month, President Asif Ali Zardari approved the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for Zahoor for bringing over $400 million in direct foreign investment to Pakistan in the last 18 months. This investment has been directed towards infrastructure, ports, and logistics and it is understood that projects worth over $2 billion in various fields, including energy, distribution, agriculture, IT, logistics, and real estate are currently underway.

Earlier this year, Zahoor surrendered his title of ambassador-at-large for the Republic of Liberia after serving in the role for five years. The Republic of Liberia appreciated Zahoor’s services while accepting his resignation.