Diplomatic deck awaits sweeping shake-up

A sweeping reshuffle is on the cards at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the government poised to overhaul several of Bangladesh's most strategic diplomatic postings at home and abroad, according to ministry sources.

Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, is the frontrunner to become the country's next foreign secretary, succeeding Asad Alam Siam.

Besides, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam is likely to be appointed Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India, a posting widely seen as one of the country's most important diplomatic desks.

*    Salahuddin Noman tipped to be next foreign secy
*    Asad Alam Siam likely to be HC to India
*    Irene Khan, UNHRC's special rapporteur
*    Riaz Hamidullah may be posted as BD's permanent rep to UN’ Geneva office 
*    Nahida Sobhan likely to be rector of FSA

Riaz Hamidullah, the current high commissioner to India, may be posted as Bangladesh's permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva, according to the sources in Foreign Ministry.

Irene Khan has been serving as the UN special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression since 1 August 2020, the official said, noting that she is the first woman to hold the position since the mandate was established in 1993.

Along with these two posts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to be reassigned to key positions at home and abroad.
According to the ministry sources, Nahida Sobhan, Bangladesh's current permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, will become rector of the Foreign Service Academy.

She is expected to assume the post before the UN General Assembly in September, replacing Salahuddin Noman as part of a broader reorganisation of the country's diplomatic leadership.

Mohammed Abdul Muhith, the academy's current rector, will be appointed Bangladesh's high commissioner to the United Kingdom, the sources added.

The reshuffle comes simultaneously with the government’s decision to appoint renowned human rights activist Irene Khan as Bangladesh's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York.

Ambassador Noman Chowdhury joined the Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1998. During his diplomatic career spanning more than two decades, he has served in various capacities at Bangladesh missions abroad, including the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York, the Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York, and the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad.

At the headquarters, he served in the United Nations, Economic Affairs, Administration, Protocol, External Publicity and Southeast Asia Wings, as well as at the Foreign Service Academy.

Current Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam has completed one year in office, having assumed the post on 20 June 2025.

A career diplomat, Ambassador Siam joined the Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1995.

Throughout his distinguished diplomatic career, he has served extensively both at home and abroad.

Prior to his current appointment, he served as Bangladesh's ambassador to the United States, with concurrent accreditation to Guyana, and as Bangladesh's permanent representative to the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

From 2023 to 2024, Ambassador Siam served as Bangladesh's Ambassador to Austria, with concurrent accreditation to Hungary and Slovenia, and as Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Vienna and the OPEC Fund.

Before serving in Austria, Ambassador Siam was Bangladesh's Ambassador to the Philippines from 2017 to 2021, with concurrent accreditation to Palau, and as Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Earlier in his career, Ambassador Siam served as the first Consul General at the Bangladesh Consulate General in Milan, Italy; as Assistant High Commissioner at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Manchester, UK; and as a junior diplomat at the Bangladesh Embassies in Jakarta and Bangkok.

In addition to his overseas assignments, he held several important positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.
He served as the Inspector General of Missions (IGM) at the ministry and as Rector of the Foreign Service Academy.

He also served as Chief of Protocol and Director General of the Europe and EU Wing. As Director, he served in the offices of the Foreign Adviser and the Foreign Secretary.

The post of Bangladesh's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom has remained vacant since March.
Besides, Mohammad Abdul Muhith, the current rector of the Foreign Service Academy and former permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, is likely to be as Bangladesh's next high commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, BNP Information and Technology Secretary AKM Wahiduzzaman is likely to be appointed deputy permanent representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York.

The government is also likely to appoint M Farhadul Islam, secretary (Intergovernmental Organizations) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Bangladesh's next ambassador to Mauritius.