Since 2017, the UAE ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Alzaabi, has been enhancing the diplomatic relations between the UAE and Pakistan.
UAE Ambassador Hamad Alzaabi Biography
Early Life and Education
Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Alzaabi was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan on 19th Sept. 2017. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science from United Arab Emirates University, then graduated with a master’s in diplomacy and international relations at Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
Diplomatic Career
His first steps in diplomacy were taken in 2005 when he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC). In 2006, Alzaabi was appointed Attaché at the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC, and transferred to New York as Second Secretary at the UAE Delegation to the UN the following year. From 2013 until 2015, he served as First Secretary at the UAE Embassy in Paris. In 2015 he became Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission in Islamabad, where he was thereafter promoted to Ambassador to Pakistan in 2019.
Notable Achievements
Alzaabi succeeded in strengthening the bonds between the two nations, as a result of which bilateral trade increased to more than $10 billion, and investments from the UAE in various sectors of Pakistan, including energy, infrastructure, and agriculture. He also facilitated the UAE-Pakistan Visa Waiver Agreement for diplomats and special passport holders, encouraging handshake and exchange of visits between the two countries.
Alzaabi has been an avid proponent of cultural activities, including the UAE’s participation in the Pakistan Expo 2020 Pavilion. He also promotes collaboration and sharing best practices in sectors such as defense, education, and healthcare.
Also Read: Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Marilina Armellin
Awards and Achievements
As a consequence of his endeavors, Alzaabi was the recipient of the UAE Medal of Pride in 2019 as well as the Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam Award of Pakistan in 2020. He was appointed to the position of Minister Plenipotentiary First Class in January of 2024, thereby establishing him as one of the above-mentioned country’s most decorated diplomats.
Personal and Language Prerequisites
Alzaabi’s appreciation of cultural diplomacy is evidenced by his proficiency in the English, Arabic and French languages. He is a bookworm who loves to travel and resides in Islamabad with his wife and two children, taking care of his other engagement as a husband while also parenting.
Conclusion
The ambassador, Hamad Alzaabi, has played an instrumental role in promoting UAE-Pakistan relations and enhancing growth and development in the different spheres. His accomplishments embody the need for culture and people-to-people interactions between the two countries.