November 25, 2014
Naeem U. Hasan, MA, MPA, MSC, Ambassador (retired)

Naeem Hasan is a retired career diplomat and political analyst specialising in the Muslim World and South Asian affairs. Besides his student days at the American University in Beirut, when he was also a part time journalist, he has spent a good part of his 35 year diplomatic career in the Arab world on assignments in Turkey, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Syria (as Ambassador). He was also posted in the Pakistan Embassies in Prague, Belgrade and served as Ambassador to Sweden with concurrent charge for Iceland, Estonia and Latvia.

He did a long stint in senior positions, including Chef du Cabinet of the Secretary General at the Jeddah based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – the Muslim UN with membership of 57 countries. During this period he travelled extensively on official missions over the entire Muslim world spanning from Indonesia to North Africa. He was the OIC’s point man for dealing with the UN and other international and regional organisations.

He also served for three years as Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation other official and business decision-makers of the then seven member countries (Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Pakistan). During his tenure, a number of regional initiatives were undertaken, including the signing of SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area) and several MOUs on cooperation of SAARC with other organisations such as CIDA, EU, ASEAN, and UN agencies were concluded.

Naeem holds a Masters Degree in Political Studies, MPA (Masters in Public Administration), and MSC in Defence and Strategic Studies. He is a Canadian citizen permanently residing in Oakville since 2002, prior to which he had been a frequent visitor to the country since the early seventies.

He is currently Advisor at the Canada-Pakistan Business Council (CPBC). His in-depth knowledge and behind-the-scenes experience can help us sort through the risks and prospects of working or investing in the Middle East and gain a more profound understanding the differences in the Muslim culture in various countries. If you want to go beyond the headlines and gain a deeper understanding of the Muslim world, bring your family and friends to hear the straight talk from Naeem Hasan.