UNITED NATIONS (APP – Urdu Point / Pakistan Point News – 5 Mar, 2026) Speakers at a memorial service honoring Rafiuddin Ahmed, the long-serving UN official of Pakistani origin who died at the end of last year, praised his humility of service, courage of conviction, and unwavering belief in multilateralism.
Ahmed held several senior positions at the United Nations, including the position of Chief of Staff of the Secretary-General; Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Trusteeship and Decolonization; Under-Secretary-General for International Economic and Social Affairs. He was also Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The official ceremony organized by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan To the United Nations, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), it brought together prominent diplomats, former colleagues, senior UN officials, and friends and family members of Rafiuddin Ahmed.
At the outset, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, who presided over the ceremony, described Rafi Uddin Ahmed as “a son of Pakistan and a citizen of the world.”
Recalling the event at an earlier UN press conference, UN Secretary-General’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric praised his steadfast service to the organisation, saying: “He will be remembered for his intellectual depth and his efforts to ensure that the UN system works to meet the needs of all the world’s people – and he was always more people-focused than process-focused.”
“Most of all, his mark will remain with this organization for a long time because he was a mentor to many of his younger teammates who followed in his footsteps,” Dujarric added.
Paying tribute to his services, the speakers said that his leadership in various senior roles has been pivotal to promoting sustainable development, economic cooperation and inclusive multilateral policy-making. They agreed that what truly distinguished him was not only his professional excellence, but also the humanity he brought to his work. They said that at every duty station, among his colleagues at all levels, he was more than just a senior official; A mentor, a steady and thoughtful voice, and a source of wisdom and encouragement to his colleagues and juniors.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Asim Ahmed said that the death of Rafiuddin Ahmed left a void within the United Nations that would not be easy to fill, noting that more than five decades of international service had set a standard that those who follow “have a lot to live up to.”
He said Pakistan is extremely proud of Ahmed’s legacy, stressing that he embodies service rooted in diplomacy, dialogue and the patient pursuit of peace.
Expressing his condolences to the bereaved family, the Pakistani envoy said the gathering was not only to remember the departed soul, but also to celebrate an extraordinary life and ensure Ahmed’s contributions are remembered and carried forward as an inspiration for future generations.
He highlighted Rafiuddin Ahmed’s inspiring leadership over successive decades, from humanitarian and peace efforts in Southeast Asia and Cambodia, to missions involving Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, the release of a crew in Kandahar, and his service as Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.
Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, who spoke on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, called for moving forward the principles championed by Rifaat al-Din Ahmed – to promote multilateralism, support moral leadership, and continue to work tirelessly towards a more just, peaceful and equitable world.
He said that multilateralism for Ahmed is not just a diplomatic framework, but rather a moral commitment to collective progress and shared responsibility.
The Secretary-General emphasized that his life embodied the core values of integrity, service, humility and dedication to international cooperation.
Speaking on the occasion, Zia Ahmed, the deceased’s eldest son, thanked the Permanent Representative and Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations for hosting the memorial service, and thanked his father’s former colleagues for the warmth and respect they showed him. He described his father as someone who had a lasting impact, not only because of his professionalism and unwavering judgment, but also because of the kindness he demonstrated in every interaction.
He said his father had deep institutional knowledge, met every challenge with keen attention to detail, and was known for presenting solutions with calm confidence. Above all, he was remembered as a devoted family man who treated everyone with the same dignity, and said he felt very lucky to be a parent.
In moving remarks, Kamaluddin Ahmed, Rafiuddin Ahmed’s youngest son, said the gathering brought him comfort and a sense of closure, as it reflected his father’s lifelong commitment to the United Nations and the values it represents. He noted that his father’s example, shaped by loyalty, humility and integrity, influenced him from an early age, including the moments when he accompanied him to UN meetings in Geneva. Noting that many remember his father for his quiet and principled lifestyle, he said he hopes to honor that legacy by striving to follow the same path of service and character.
Haoliang Xu, Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, read a message on behalf of Gustav Speth, former Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, who said that Rafiuddin Ahmed combined warm human relations with solid realism, and lived the principles he espoused throughout his career. He said he will be remembered as a diplomat who listened carefully in complex situations, created space for others to speak, and built bridges between cultures and institutions.
Naveed Hanif, Assistant Secretary-General of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, noted that three immutable facts defined Rafiuddin’s life and service. For Rafiuddin Ahmed, the United Nations was not just a profession, it was a calling. He not only worked for the organization; He believed in it deeply and lived its values every day. He realized that people are more important than institutions, and that true leadership is rooted in empowerment, not power.
Shamshad Ahmed Khan, former Foreign Minister and Permanent Representative of Pakistan, said on the occasion that at a time of uncertainty for the United Nations, Rafiuddin Ahmed reminded us of his firm belief in the multilateralism that underpins the regime. He said the best way to honor his legacy is to continue building – with the same conviction, integrity and faith in the United Nations that he embodied.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Munir Akram, former Permanent Representative of Pakistan, said that although Rafiuddin Ahmed’s achievements at the United Nations were well known and widely acclaimed, to him he was much more than just an outstanding international civil servant – he was a mentor and a dear friend. He was the first to advise him before he traveled to the UN as Third Secretary, where he patiently explained to him the complexities of the Economic and Social Council, and again the first to advise him when he arrived as Permanent Representative in 2003, in the midst of the Pakistan-Pakistan crisis. India.
Those who were unable to attend the memorial in person also paid tribute through recorded video statements and messages, including Mourad Wahba, Acting Executive Secretary of ESCWA; And Mrs. Sheikha N. Al Nowais, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization; Francesco Frangiali, former Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization; Syed Babar Ali; Farouk Sobhan; Robert Piper, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations; Ambassador (retired) Hayat Mahdi; Simona Petrova; Fasih Ahmed; Naseer al-Din Ahmed and the ambassador. Shawkat Farid Qazi.
A documentary film depicting the key moments in the life of the veteran diplomat was also shown on this occasion.
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