Leadership & Diplomacy
A Voice for South Asia on the World Stage
As the first female Secretary-General of SAARC, Ambassador Dhiyana Saeed has been a pioneering force in regional diplomacy and international cooperation.
Historic Leadership
Secretary-General of SAARC
The first woman to lead the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation since its inception in 1985. Assumed office on March 1, 2011, in Kathmandu.
8
Member Nations
1.9B
People Represented
1st
Woman Secretary-General
2011
Assumed Office
Leading Regional Cooperation
On February 10, 2011, Dhiyana Saeed was appointed as the 10th Secretary-General of SAARC by the Thirty-third Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers in Thimphu, Bhutan — the first woman to hold this position since the organization's founding in 1985.
She assumed office in Kathmandu on March 1, 2011, succeeding India's Sheel Kant Sharma. Under her leadership, SAARC advanced initiatives in trade facilitation, climate change adaptation, and cooperation among the eight member states: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Prior to this role, she served as the Maldivian Government's Envoy for South Asia from August 2010, appointed by President Mohamed Nasheed, preparing her for this historic regional leadership position.
Diplomatic Focus
Themes of Engagement
Regional Cooperation
Advancing dialogue and cooperation among South Asian nations on shared challenges and opportunities.
Multilateral Engagement
Representing the Maldives and SAARC in international forums and global diplomatic initiatives.
Women in Diplomacy
Championing women's leadership in international affairs and diplomatic service.
Institutional Development
Strengthening regional institutions and frameworks for effective multilateral governance.
Breaking Barriers
Women in Diplomacy
Ambassador Dhiyana Saeed's appointment as SAARC Secretary-General was a landmark moment for women's leadership in South Asian diplomacy. Her tenure demonstrated that women can and must play central roles in shaping regional and international affairs.
Throughout her diplomatic career, she has been a vocal advocate for increasing women's participation in foreign policy, conflict resolution, and multilateral governance. She has mentored young women diplomats and spoken globally about the importance of diverse perspectives in international relations.
Her leadership has inspired a new generation of women in South Asia to pursue careers in diplomacy and international affairs, breaking barriers that have long limited women's roles in this field.
Global Presence
Key Diplomatic Engagements
SAARC Secretary-General Inauguration
Assumed office as the 10th Secretary-General of SAARC, making history as the first woman in this position.
Envoy for South Asia
Appointed by President Nasheed as the Maldivian Government's Envoy for South Asia, building regional relationships.
Minister of Gender, Family and Human Rights
Appointed by President Waheed to lead the newly created Ministry of Gender, Family and Human Rights.
Ambassador at Large
Appointed Ambassador at Large, continuing diplomatic service representing the Maldives internationally.
Present Day
Ambassador-at-Large
As of April 2026, Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed serves as Ambassador at Large under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives. In this capacity, she continues to represent her nation on the international stage, focusing on:
- Climate Diplomacy: Advocating for urgent action on climate change, particularly for small island developing states facing existential threats from rising seas
- Multilateral Engagement:Strengthening the Maldives' participation in international organizations and forums
- Bilateral Relations: Fostering strategic partnerships with nations across the globe
- Regional Cooperation: Continuing to advance South Asian dialogue and cooperation
“Diplomacy is not merely the art of negotiation — it is the commitment to finding common ground, building bridges, and working together for the common good of all peoples.”
— Ambassador Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed
Discover Her Advocacy Work
Explore the causes and initiatives that drive Ambassador Dhiyana's commitment to positive change.