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Meet Noof Alotaishan: Saudi Trailblazer Steps into Historic UNGA Role

Noof Alotaishan has achieved a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's diplomatic representation by becoming the first Saudi female diplomat to be seconded to the Office of the President of the United Nations General Assembly. New Diplomatic Breakthrough Alotaishan, an alumna of Keele University in the United Kingdom, has made a real difference in the Saudi diplomatic landscape and shed light on the evolving role of Saudi women in international representation. Her groundbreaking appointment has received widespread acclaim on social media by pioneering regional and international figures. In a message shared on social media, Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, the Saudi Ambassador to the United States, congratulated Alotaishan on her 'amazing' accomplishment. The princess also noted that Alotaishan's presence in this role represents a diplomatic breakthrough for Saudi women unleashing new horizons for their representation in diplomatic spheres all over the world. Noof Alotaishan is the first Saudi woman diplomat to work in the office of the President of the United Nations General Assembly 79th Session. Amazing! @ksamissionun 🇸🇦✨@UN — Reema Bandar Al-Saud (@rbalsaud) October 10, 2024 'When I was told that I was the first Saudi female diplomat to be seconded to the President's Office, it felt quite surreal. The Saudi Ambassador to the United States congratulated me and told me they wanted to celebrate the news, and it was a very proud moment when she posted a photo of me on her social media channels, which all of my family saw,' she said. Ray of Hope for Saudi Women Noof Alotaishan Currently, Alotaishan is representing Saudi Arabia at the 79th session of the General Assembly, taking place at the UN Headquarters in New York. She expressed hope that her position will serve as a source of inspiration for Saudi women seeking to secure careers in diplomacy and international affairs. 'Hopefully my experience can help other women in Saudi Arabia believe in themselves and think 'I can do it, too'. There is an idea that is a male dominated world, and females won't be supported but I have been supported by my Ambassador H.E. Abdulaziz Alwasil as well as my male colleagues, so it is a mentality more than facts,' Alotaishan added. Professional Career Path In her current position, Alotaishan serves as an advisor to the Political, Peace, and Security Affairs team at the United Nations, with a particular focus on the Middle East issues, including Gaza and Palestine. Interestingly, she has recently achieved a notable career milestone when her contributions were reflected in remarks delivered by H.E. Philemon Yang, President of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, during his address on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. 'It makes me happy when I can give an opinion based on my experience, knowledge and background and you see it making a difference. For example, sometimes I'll look at something as a person from the Middle East and I'll be able to adjust the wording to be more relevant to the community, and you see people listen and change it,' she said. Prior to joining the UN team, Alotaishan served for more than two years as a diplomat at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, she enriched her career portfolio through a year‑long lectureship in public law at Al‑Asala Colleges along with earlier work as a legal researcher. Enriching Academic Journey Noof Alotaishan Alotaishan obtained a Bachelor's degree in Law from Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University in Khobar. In 2019, she got a Master's degree in International Law and Politics from Keele University. Reflecting on her time at Keele, she said: 'When I came to Keele in 2018 it was my first time living alone, which was quite a big experience for me. I was lucky that I had and still have a supportive family especially my dad, he was supportive of me studying abroad, knowing it will play a huge role in my growth and future career.' Alotaishan described Keele university as 'perfect' and labeled its courses as 'highly rated'. 'I always tell people now that Keele is one of the best options in the UK because it has a beautiful campus, but it can also be quiet, so you can focus on your education,' she added. Noof Alotaishan's academic journey Moreover, she has earned numerous licenses and certifications and completed various courses, particularly in business, international relations, and political economy from The London School of Economics and Political Science. Saudi Arabia's Transformation toward Inclusive Diplomacy Noof Alotaishan's secondment comes amid a revolutionized transformation within Saudi Arabia's diplomatic scene, which has witnessed a notable surge in the appointment of women to senior foreign service positions in recent years. This advanced approach mirrors the Kingdom's dedication to empowering women and fostering their representation across key sectors in line with the Saud Vision 2030. To support Saudi women representation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also made bold strides to appoint female ambassadors, consuls, as well as envoys to prominent international posts. All these efforts and initiatives represent a decisive move toward inclusive diplomacy in Saudi Arabia. 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