Naela Chohan

{{Short description|Ambassador of Pakistan, feminist artist (born 1958)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| image = naelachohan1982.jpg

| caption = Chohan in 1982

| name = Naela Chohan

| order =

| ambassador_from = Pakistan

| country = Australia

| term_start = 29 October 2014

| term_end = 5 May 2018

| president =

| preceded =

| succeeded =

| ambassador_from2 = Pakistan

| country2 = Argentina

| term_start2 = 26 August 2009

| term_end2 = 29 April 2013

| predecessor2 =

| successor2 =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1958|5|6}}

| birth_place = Rawalpindi, Pakistan {{flagicon|Pakistan}}

| death_date =

| death_place =

| spouse =Musa Javed Chohan

| relations =

| children =Usman W. Chohan, Ibrahim A. Chohan

| residence =

| alma_mater = Harvard University, Centre d'Etudes Diplomatiques et Stratégiques, Quaid-e-Azam University, École du Louvre, École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts

| occupation = Pakistani Ambassador, Women's Rights Advocate and Artist

| profession =

| signature =

| website =

| footnotes =

}}

Naela Chohan (Urdu: نائلہ چوہان, alternative spelling Naila Chohan) (born 6 May 1958 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan) is a Pakistani artist and diplomat. As a seasoned and veteran diplomat, ambassador Chohan has assumed a leadership position in eight different Pakistani diplomatic missions on five different continents.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlxd5qnsY5Y Determinants of Peace in South Asia - Ambassador Naela Chohan][http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/content/high-commissioner-addressing-community-concerns SBS Australia (Urdu Service)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513092850/http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/content/high-commissioner-addressing-community-concerns |date=13 May 2016 }} Message from Ambassador Chohan to the Pakistani Community in Australia Naela Chohan is a hyperpolyglot[http://www.polyglotassociation.org/naela-chohan International Association of Hyperpolyglots] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224133530/https://www.polyglotassociation.org/naela-chohan |date=24 February 2020 }} Special Interview with Naela Chohan. Accessed 17 November 2016. with demonstrable fluency in seven Indo-European languages including Persian, French, and Spanish.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRHBKF2dvoY The Intelligentsia: Why Should We Learn New Languages? Featuring H.E. Amb Naela Chohan] The Intelligentsia. March 28, 2023.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlxd5qnsY5Y Determinants of Peace in South Asia - Ambassador Naela Chohan][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhF4YFoAz2k Visión Siete Interview #1 Naela Chohan Interview (Spanish)] Naela Chohan Interview on Vision Siete Argentina (Spanish)

Along with only a handful of other diplomats, Naela Chohan represents the first and senior-most cohort of women to rise to the highest echelon of Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[http://nation.com.pk/national/26-Sep-2013/welcome-to-mofa-the-false-ceiling-is-gone The Nation Daily] Welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the glass ceiling is gone Canada's weekly foreign policy Embassy Magazine in January, 2008 described her by saying that "though slight in stature and soft in speech, Naela Chohan accounts for 50 per cent of the Pakistani foreign service's most potent power couple."[https://web.archive.org/web/20150923235941/http://www.embassynews.ca/diplomatic-circles/2008/01/30/the-blame-game-on-afghanistan-is-not-constructive-says-pakistans-new/35942?device=desktop Embassy Magazine Canada] Jeff Davis, Ottawa Canada. January, 2008. Having started her diplomatic career on the China Desk at Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she has been a proponent of a strong Pakistan-China Alliance premised on multifaceted cooperation.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54TBJ2HRPIg 情对祖国讲爱向祖国说｜巴基斯坦驻澳大使可汗阁下致辞 Ambassador Naela Chohan's views on a strong Pakistan-China Friendship (English/Chinese)][http://intl.ce.cn/specials/zxgjzh/201508/14/t20150814_6227696.shtml?from=singlemessage&isappinstalled=0 澳大利亚国立大学举办“一带一路”论坛] Australian National University CSSA China Conference (Chinese) Naela Chohan is also committed to the prohibition of global Chemical Weapons, being the first civilian and woman to head the National Authority on the Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical weapons in Pakistan.MEETING OF THE STATES PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION AND STOCKPILING OF BACTERIOLOGICAL (BIOLOGICAL) AND TOXIN WEAPONS AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION, Page 11 [http://www.opbw.org/new_process/msp2007/BWC_MSP_2007_3.pdf] She is responsible for having conceived or restored several Pakistani landmarks including the Plaza de Pakistan in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She was the first female foreign diplomat to be received in Tehran by the Iranian government after the 1979 Revolution.[http://nation.com.pk/national/26-Sep-2013/welcome-to-mofa-the-false-ceiling-is-gone The Nation Daily] Welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the glass ceiling is gone

Naela Chohan has served as High Commissioner of Pakistan to Australia,[http://www.abc.net.au/radio/canberra/programs/breakfast/pakistan-turns-70-high-commissioner-naela-choham/8803498 Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Interview with Ambassador Naela Chohan] "Pakistan turns 70 as a nation." Date accessed 17 August 2017. where she laid emphasis on bolstering bilateral ties, therein prioritizing the enhancement of security, agricultural,[http://www.theland.com.au/story/3376800/summit-focuses-on-global-megatrends/ Summit focuses on global megatrends] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622005026/https://www.theland.com.au/story/3376800/summit-focuses-on-global-megatrends/ |date=22 June 2018 }} Naela Chohan at the Agricultural Summit in Canberra, Australia educational and economic relations.{{Cite web |url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-269216-HC-designate-to-Australia-calls-on-president |title=Naela Chohan calls on the President of Pakistan |access-date=12 October 2014 |archive-date=5 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005160650/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-269216-HC-designate-to-Australia-calls-on-president |url-status=dead }}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlxd5qnsY5Y A Conversation Between Hemispheres: Gender Equality Post-2015 Development Agenda - Naela Chohan] Parliament of Australia - UN SDG Convention (English)[https://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/urdu/en/article/2017/08/09/launching-consulate-general-pakistan-melbourne Launching of Consulate General of Pakistan in Melbourne]. SBS Australia. Accessed 8 April 2018. She has previously served as Pakistan's Secretary for the Middle East and Africa, prior to which she was the Ambassador of Pakistan to Argentina, Uruguay, Peru and Ecuador, where she has been a vocal proponent of stronger ties between Pakistan and Latin America.[https://www.nation.com.pk/20-Apr-2012/pakistan-urged-for-strong-ties-with-latin-american-states Roundable at the Institute for Regional Studies, Pakistan][http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-103971-Naela-Chohan-for-enhancing-ties-with-Latin-American-countries Naela Chohan for Enhancing Ties with Latin American Countries] She is an alumnus of Quaid-e-Azam University and Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University.

Beyond her diplomatic career, Ambassador Naela Chohan is a strong advocate of Women's Rights through the medium of visual arts,[https://w-insight.com/2021/01/16/trust-yourself-important-success-ingredient-according-to-a-veteran-diplomat/ "Trust yourself: important success ingredient, according to a veteran diplomat"]. W Insight Magazine. Accessed 17 January 2021. including subjects of pertinence to the social condition of women,.[https://tribune.com.pk/story/2404883/womens-access-to-education-critical-for-social-development Women’s access to education critical for social development.] Express Tribune. March 08, 2023. Exhibitions of her art have taken place on five continents and have garnered the accolades of civil society as well as heads of state.[http://amnahakim.com/blog/archives/2126 Naela Chohan’s ‘Art from the Heart’ exhibition Launch with Laureen Harper] Amna Hakim, Rothwell Gallery, Ottawa[http://www.thelabradorian.ca/Arts/Cultural-activities/2009-07-23/article-640607/Diplomat-displays-artwork-at-east-end-gallery/1 Diplomat displays artwork at east-end gallery] Laura Cummings, The Labradorian Newspaper, 2009"[https://www.app.com.pk/photos-section/first-lady-begum-samina-arif-alvi-addressing-the-inauguration-ceremony-of-a-solo-painting-exhibition-by-the-former-ambassador-naela-chohan-in-connection-with-international-womens-day-at-pakistan/ First Lady Begum Samina Arif Alvi addressing the inauguration ceremony of a solo painting exhibition by the Former Ambassador, Naela Chohan, in connection with International Women’s Day, at Pakistan National Council of Arts.] Associated Press of Pakistan. March 08, 2023. Her most notable work is Souffrance, which is kept on permanent display at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris since 2002.{{Cite web |url=http://www3.unesco.org/iycp/uk/uk_visu_action.asp?CodeAction=843 |title=UNESCO Press Release - Bureau of Strategic Planning - Section for Women and Gender Equality (2002) |access-date=2 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114082126/http://www3.unesco.org/iycp/uk/uk_visu_action.asp?CodeAction=843 |archive-date=14 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}

Career

Born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Chohan has served as ambassador of Pakistan to Australia, where she laid emphasis on bolstering bilateral ties, therein prioritizing the enhancement of security, agricultural, educational and economic relations.{{Cite web | url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-269216-HC-designate-to-Australia-calls-on-president | title=The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News | access-date=12 October 2014 | archive-date=5 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005160650/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-269216-HC-designate-to-Australia-calls-on-president | url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.pakistan.org.au/detail_news.php?newsid=56 |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 October 2014 |archive-date=9 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409043546/http://www.pakistan.org.au/detail_news.php?newsid=56 |url-status=dead }} She assumed this office on 29 October 2014 at Government House, Canberra. In this capacity, she is also accredited to Pacific nations including Fiji,[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UcohHZQZBE Government of Fiji - Fijian President receives credentials from High Commissioner of Pakistan to Fiji, Madam Naela Chohan] Papua New Guinea,[http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/06/prime-minister-peter-oneill-welcomes.html?m=1 Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea with Ambassador Naela Chohan] The Solomon Islands,[http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/9631-gov-t-seals-diplomatic-relations-with-pakistan Government seals diplomatic relations with Pakistan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403190215/http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/9631-gov-t-seals-diplomatic-relations-with-pakistan |date=3 April 2016 }} Solomon Star[http://arynews.tv/en/pakistan-estabolomon-islands/ Pakistan and Solomon Islands establish relations] Ary News and Vanuatu, among others. In April, 2018, she inaugurated the Consulate General of Pakistan in Melbourne.[https://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/urdu/en/article/2017/08/09/launching-consulate-general-pakistan-melbourne Launching of Consulate General of Pakistan in Melbourne]. SBS Australia. Accessed 8 April 2018. Having started her diplomatic career on the China Desk at Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she has been a proponent of a strong Pakistan-China Alliance premised on multifaceted cooperation.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54TBJ2HRPIg 情对祖国讲爱向祖国说｜巴基斯坦驻澳大使可汗阁下致辞 Ambassador Naela Chohan's views on a strong Pakistan-China Friendship (English/Chinese)][http://intl.ce.cn/specials/zxgjzh/201508/14/t20150814_6227696.shtml?from=singlemessage&isappinstalled=0 澳大利亚国立大学举办“一带一路”论坛] Australian National University CSSA China Conference (Chinese)

Along with only a handful of other diplomats, Naela Chohan represents the first and senior-most cohort of women to rise to the highest echelon of Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0lJ5wPV5i8 The Secretary or the Boss? Challenges facing Female Diplomats - AIIA Australia] She has the honour as a woman of being the first female foreign diplomat to be received in Tehran by the Iranian government after the 1979 Revolution.[http://nation.com.pk/national/26-Sep-2013/welcome-to-mofa-the-false-ceiling-is-gone The Nation Daily] Welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the glass ceiling is gone Canada's weekly foreign policy Embassy Magazine in January, 2008 described her by saying that "though slight in stature and soft in speech, Naela Chohan accounts for 50 per cent of the Pakistani foreign service's most potent power couple."[http://www.embassynews.ca/diplomatic-circles/2008/01/30/the-blame-game-on-afghanistan-is-not-constructive-says-pakistans-new/35942 Canada's Embassy Magazine] Jeff Davis, Ottawa Canada. January, 2008.

As a seasoned and veteran diplomat of Pakistan, Naela Chohan has completed eight different diplomatic missions on five different continents. Naela Chohan's diplomatic assignments have included Additional Secretary (AS) Middle East and Africa, the High Commission of Pakistan in Ottawa, the Pakistan delegation to United Nations General Assembly 41st (1987) Session and 42nd (1988) Session, and the Embassy of Pakistan in Tehran (1989–1993), and Kuala Lumpur (1997–2001). Naela Chohan is also committed to the prohibition of global Chemical Weapons, being the first civilian and woman to head the National Authority on the Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical weapons in Pakistan.MEETING OF THE STATES PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION AND STOCKPILING OF BACTERIOLOGICAL (BIOLOGICAL) AND TOXIN WEAPONS AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION, Page 11 [http://www.opbw.org/new_process/msp2007/BWC_MSP_2007_3.pdf] In addition to her service as a career diplomat, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Employment Corporation of Pakistan and the Inter State Gas System Limited (Pvt); and a member of the Central Board of Film Censors(CBFC). She was also unanimously elected Chairperson of the Asia Pacific Development Center (APDC), Kuala Lumpur (1998–2000). Ambassador Chohan has been designated a Profesora Visitante at the School of Oriental Studies (Escuela de los Estudios Orientales) at the Universidad del Salvador.[https://archive.today/20120630074216/http://www.usalvador.com.ar/?p=1356 La Embajadora de Pakistán dio una conferencia en la USAL]

In April 2014, Naela Chohan assumed the position of Acting Foreign Secretary (A-FS) at the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thereby becoming the first female Foreign Service Officer to hold this office. She subsequently reassumed this office in July, 2014. In 2016, Madam Ambassador Chohan was the first Pakistani ever to set foot on the Solomon Islands, and established formal diplomatic relations between Pakistan and The Solomon Islands.[http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/9631-gov-t-seals-diplomatic-relations-with-pakistan Government seals diplomatic relations with Pakistan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403190215/http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/9631-gov-t-seals-diplomatic-relations-with-pakistan |date=3 April 2016 }} Solomon Star[http://arynews.tv/en/pakistan-estabolomon-islands/ Pakistan and Solomon Islands establish relations] Ary News

Art and advocacy for women's rights

Alongside her diplomatic career, Ambassador Naela Chohan is a strong advocate of women's rights through the medium of visual arts, and her work Souffrance is on permanent display at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris and was inaugurated by Boutros Boutros Ghali on the UN International Women's Day, 2002.{{Cite web |url=http://www3.unesco.org/iycp/uk/uk_visu_action.asp?CodeAction=843 |title=UNESCO Press Release - Bureau of Strategic Planning - Section for Women and Gender Equality (2002) |access-date=2 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114082126/http://www3.unesco.org/iycp/uk/uk_visu_action.asp?CodeAction=843 |archive-date=14 January 2015 |url-status=dead }} The UNESCO Bureau of Strategic Planning Section for Women and Gender Equality described her work as "a reflection on the position of women in society, illiteracy, economic empowerment, women's contribution to society and discrimination they face".{{Cite web |url=http://www3.unesco.org/iycp/uk/uk_visu_action.asp?CodeAction=843 |title=UNESCO Press Release - Bureau of Strategic Planning - Section for Women and Gender Equality (2002) |access-date=2 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114082126/http://www3.unesco.org/iycp/uk/uk_visu_action.asp?CodeAction=843 |archive-date=14 January 2015 |url-status=dead }} Her work Enlightenment (1999) is on permanent display at the Museum of Islamic Heritage, Kuala Lumpur; a piece that was inaugurated by the First Lady Datin Sri Endon Mahmood of Malaysia. Other major displays and exhibitions of her work have taken place in Paris (2002), Buenos Aires (2011), and in Ottawa (2008) where her exposition was inaugurated by First Lady of Canada Mrs. Laureen Harper.[http://amnahakim.com/blog/archives/2126 Naela Chohan’s ‘Art from the Heart’ exhibition Launch with Laureen Harper] Amna Hakim, Rothwell Gallery, Ottawa[http://www.thelabradorian.ca/Arts/Cultural-activities/2009-07-23/article-640607/Diplomat-displays-artwork-at-east-end-gallery/1 Diplomat displays artwork at east-end gallery] Laura Cummings, The Labradorian Newspaper, 2009" Her exhibition at the National Art Gallery, Pakistan titled Art from the Heart was inaugurated by the First Lady of Pakistan Samina Alvi,[https://www.brecorder.com/news/40230164 President’s wife inaugurates painting exhibition.] Business Recorder. March 08, 2023. and its focus was on the conditions of women [https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/art-from-the-heart-goes-on-display-1654947.html "Art from the Heart" goes on display.] UrduPoint. March 07, 2023. and on countering hostile stereotypes and narratives.[https://www.dawn.com/news/1740941 Works counter narratives against Pakistan, Muslim women.] Dawn Newspaper. March 08, 2023.[https://dailytimes.com.pk/1070193/womens-access-to-education-critical-for-social-development-samina-alvi/ Women’s access to education, critical for social development: Samina Alvi.] Daily Times Pakistan. March 08, 2023.

Education

Naela Chohan holds a master's degree in International Relations from Quaid-e-Azam University (1982), and a PhD session certificate in International Relations from Centre d'Etudes Diplomatiques et Stratégiques in Paris (2002). She also received training at École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts and the École du Louvre in Paris (2001). Naela Chohan also undertook the Executive Development Program (EDP) from Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University (2006). As a hyperpolyglot,[http://www.polyglotassociation.org/naela-chohan International Association of Hyperpolyglots] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224133530/https://www.polyglotassociation.org/naela-chohan |date=24 February 2020 }} Special Interview with Naela Chohan. Accessed 17 November 2016. she has demonstrated fluency in seven Indo-European languages including English, French, Bengali, Punjabi, Urdu, Persian (acquired at age 35), and Spanish (acquired at age 51).[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRHBKF2dvoY The Intelligentsia: Why Should We Learn New Languages? Featuring H.E. Amb Naela Chohan] The Intelligentsia. March 28, 2023.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhF4YFoAz2k Visión Siete Interview #1 Naela Chohan Interview (Spanish)] Naela Chohan Interview on Vision Siete Argentina (Spanish)

Family

Ambassador Naela Chohan is married to Ambassador (R) Musa Javed Chohan, who has served as Pakistan's Ambassador to France (2001), Permanent Representative to UNESCO (2001), and High Commissioner to Canada (2007) and Malaysia (1997). She has two children, Usman W. Chohan and Ibrahim A. Chohan.

Gallery

class="toccolours" style="background:white;"

! Ambassador Naela Chohan of Pakistan {{flagicon|Pakistan}}

File:Musachohanagakhan.jpg|From L to R Musa Javed Chohan, Naela Chohan, HRH Prince Aga Khan IV, Begum Inaara Aga Khan, and Sahibzada Yaqub Khan in Paris (2002)

File:naelachohanboutrosghali.jpg|Naela Chohan & Boutros Boutros Ghali at her art exhibition for the International Women's Day at UNESCO in Paris (2002)

File:naelachohanendonmahmood.jpg|Naela Chohan & Datin Sri Endon Mahmood at the Museum of Islamic Heritage, Kuala Lumpur. (1999)

style="text-align:center; font-size:88%" | Ambassador Naela Chohan is the current High Commissioner of Pakistan to the Commonwealth of Australia {{flagicon|Australia}}, former ambassador of Pakistan to the Republic of Argentina {{flagicon|Argentina}}.