The InterDependent

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury was the under secretary-general and high representative of the UN from 2002 to 2007, responsible for the most vulnerable countries of the world.

A career diplomat, Chowdhury served as ambassador and permanent representative of Bangladesh to the UN New York from 1996 to 2001. He also served as Bangladesh’s ambassador to Chile, Nicaragua, Peru and Venezuela, as well as Bangladesh’s high commissioner to the Bahamas and Guyana.

During his tenure as permanent Representative, Chowdhury was president of the Security Council, president of Unicef’s executive board and vice president of the Economic and Social Council of the UN in 1997 and 1998.

Chowdhury was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has an M.A. in contemporary history and international relations from the University of Dhaka. He has been a regular contributor to journals on peace, development and human rights issues and a speaker at academic institutions and other forums. He also served as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University.

Chowdhury is the recipient of the U Thant Peace Award and the Unesco Gandhi Gold Medal for Culture of Peace.