Syed Akbaruddin presents his UN ambassador credentials

Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, presented his credentials to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the UN Headquarters here on Monday.

Receiving his credentials, the UN Secretary General welcomed his appointment and appreciated the significant role that India plays at the United Nations as a long trusted partner of the multilateral system.

Akbaruddin reiterated India's strong commitment to the United Nations and assured him of his full support in helping the UN achieve its ideals and fulfilling the priorities the UN Secretary General had set out at for the year 2016 including that of Agenda 2030 and the quest for peaceful political solutions for all the problems.

Akbaruddin, who is the former high-profile spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs, had previously served at the Indian Mission to the UN as First Secretary during 1995-98 and focused on UN Security Council Reform and Peace-Keeping.

Prior to his UN assignment, Akbaruddin was the Chief Coordinator of the India-Africa Forum Summit held in October 2015 in New Delhi. All 54 African States who are members of the United Nations participated along with the Organization of African Unity in this milestone event.

He also served as an international civil-servant at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna from 2006-2011.