Mumtaz Hussain
UNITED NATIONS: Speakers at a memorial ceremony eulogized the outstanding contributions and meritorious services of Rafeeuddin Ahmad, a veteran UN diplomat, in the field of international cooperation and multilateral diplomacy.
The memorial ceremony organized by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), brought together a galaxy of diplomats, friends, family members, former colleagues and senior UN officials.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, presided over the ceremony. Family members of Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmad made a special appearance in the ceremony.
Paying rich tribute to life and work of the veteran diplomat, the speakers said that for nearly five decades, Rafeeuddin Ahmad dedicated himself to the United Nations with unwavering commitment and conviction. They said that his leadership in various senior roles was pivotal to advancing sustainable development, economic cooperation, and inclusive multilateral policymaking.
They agreed that what truly distinguished him was not only his professional excellence, but also the humanity that he brought to his work. They said that at every duty station, among colleagues at all levels, he was more than a senior official; a mentor, a steady and thoughtful voice, and a source of wisdom and encouragement to his colleagues and juniors.
Delivering opening remarks, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad described Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmed as “a son of Pakistan and a citizen of the world.” He said Mr. Ahmed’s passing had left a void within the United Nations that would not easily be filled, and noted that his more than five decades of international service set a standard that those who follow “have much to live up to.”
He paid homage to Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmed’s stellar public service in international diplomacy in various senior roles including as Special Adviser on Iraq to Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Under-Secretary-General to name only a few. He said Pakistan was greatly proud of Mr. Ahmed’s legacy, emphasizing that he embodied service rooted in diplomacy, dialogue, and the patient pursuit of peace.
Extending condolences to the bereaved family, he said the gathering was not only to remember the departed soul, but also to celebrate an extraordinary life and ensure that Mr. Ahmed’s contributions are remembered and carried forward as inspiration for future generations.
Recalling a career that touched many of the defining moments of modern diplomacy, the Ambassador outlined Mr. Ahmed’s early service in ECOSOC in the 1970s and his later role as Chef de Cabinet to Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim, including as Principal Aide during the Iran hostage crisis and in the Secretary-General’s Task Force on the Falkland Islands.
He highlighted Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmed’s inspirational leadership across successive decades, from humanitarian and peace efforts in South-East Asia and Cambodia, to assignments involving Laos and Thailand, Myanmar, and the release of a crew in Kandahar, and his service as Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.
Li Junhua, USG Department of Economic and Social Affaris, spoke on behalf of the UN Secretary General who said that as we reflect on Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmad’s extraordinary journey, we are reminded that the most meaningful tribute we can offer is to carry forward the principles he championed — to strengthen multilateralism, uphold ethical leadership, and continue working tirelessly toward a more just, peaceful, and equitable world. He said that for Mr. Ahmad, multilateralism was not merely a diplomatic framework, but a moral commitment to collective progress and shared responsibility.
His life embodied the core values of integrity, service, humility, and dedication to international cooperation, the Secretary General maintained.
Speaking on the occasion, Zia Ahmed, the elder son of the deceased, expressed appreciation to the Permanent Representative and the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations for hosting the memorial, and thanked his father’s former colleagues for the warmth and respect shown to his father. He described his father as someone whose impact endures, not only for his professionalism and steady judgment, but also for the kindness he showed in every interaction.
He said his father carried deep institutional knowledge, approached every challenge with careful attention to detail, and was known for offering solutions with calm confidence. Above all, he remembered him as a devoted family man who treated everyone with equal dignity, and said he felt profoundly fortunate to have had him as a parent.
Making heartfelt and deeply moving remarks, Kamaluddin Ahmed, the younger son of Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmad, said the gathering brought him comfort and a sense of closure, as he reflected on his father’s lifelong commitment to the United Nations and the values it represents.
He shared that his father’s example, shaped by sincerity, humility, and integrity, influenced him from an early age, including moments when he accompanied him to UN meetings in Geneva. He noted that many remembered his father for a quiet, principled way of living, and said he hopes to honour that legacy by striving to follow the same path of service and character.
Haoliang Xu, Associate Administrator at the UNDP, read out a message on behalf of Gustav Speth, former UNDP Administrator who said that Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmad combined warm human relations with grounded pragmatism, living the principles he espoused throughout his career.
He said that he will be remembered as a diplomat who listened carefully in complex situations, created space for others to speak, and built bridges across cultures and institutions.
Naveed Hanif, Assistant Secretary-General for DESA, reflected that three enduring truths defined Mr. Rafeeuddin’s life and service. For Rafi, the United Nations was never merely a career — it was a calling. He did not simply work for the Organization; he believed in it deeply and lived its values every day. He understood that people matter more than institutions, and that true leadership is rooted in empowerment, not authority.
Shamshad Ahmad Khan, former Foreign Secretary and Permanent Representative of Pakistan, said on the occasion that at a time of uncertainty for the United Nations, Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmad reminded us of the giants like him whose steadfast belief in multilateralism sustained the system through challenge and change. He said that the best way to honor his legacy is to continue building — with the same conviction, integrity, and faith in the UN that he embodied.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Munir Akram, former Permanent Representative of Pakistan, said that while Mr. Rafeeuddin Ahmad’s accomplishments at the United Nations are well known and widely acclaimed, to him, he was far more than a distinguished international civil servant — he was a mentor and a dear friend.
He was the first person to advise him before he traveled to the United Nations as a Third Secretary, patiently explaining the intricacies of ECOSOC, and again the first to counsel him when he arrived as Permanent Representative in 2003, in the midst of a crisis between Pakistan and India.
Those unable to attend the memorial in person also paid tribute through recorded video statements and messages, including Mourad Wahba, Acting Executive Secretary of ESCWA; Ms. Shaikha N. Alnuwais, Secretary-General of UNWTO; Francesco Frangialli, former Secretary-General of UNWTO; Syed Babar Ali; Farooq Sobhan; Robert Piper, former UN Under-Secretary-General; Ambassador (Retd.) Hayat Mehdi; Simona Petrova; Fasih Ahmed; and Naseeruddin Ahmed and Amb. Shaukat Fareed Qazi.
A documentary containing key moments of the veteran diplomat’s life was also shown on the occasion.
