POST | His Excellency Ambassador Arif Lalani: Canada-UAE Re-energize Relations

Here is a glimpse of a man who has exemplified a stellar service, all for the love of his country.

POST [Style. Diplomacy] 15 June-15 August 2015 Issue

The proud Muslim diplomat gladly shared with us his experiences working his way up the career path, being stationed at what many would consider as “hard posts”, and receiving awards from a Queen and from a President. The ambassador also spoke of the real status between his country and the UAE, especially after entering the re-energized relationship.

POST - Cover Story - in the service of Canada

POST - Cover Story - Investing in each others future - His Excellency Ambassador Arif Lalani Canada-UAE Re-energize Relations

“The Canada-UAE relationship is based on what we could call as one strategic assessment and what we mean by that is that Canada and UAE have the same outlook on regional security situation, on trying to assist 3rd countries on development, and most importantly on mutual benefit of the commercial relationship, so our main interest here is investing in each other’s futures.”

POST - Cover Story -in the service of Canada in front of the portrait of the father of UAE

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About Arif Lalani, Canadian Ambassador to the UAE

POST - Front Page - His Excellency Ambassador Arif Lalani Canada-UAE Re-energize Relations

Arif Lalani (BA [International Relations], University of British Columbia, 1989; MSc [Management, Organizations and Governance], London School of Economics, 2009) has undertaken various assignments at Headquarters and abroad.

In 1994, he was assigned to the Embassy of Canada to Turkey. Mr. Lalani also served abroad at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York during Canada’s term on the Security Council and as counsellor in Washington, D.C.

Canada's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Arif Lalani being greeted by Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai
Canada’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Arif Lalani being greeted by Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai

In 2006, he was appointed ambassador to Jordan, with accreditation to the Republic of Iraq and in 2007 he was appointed ambassador to Afghanistan. He was presented with the Alam Sayad Jamal-u-Din al Afghani medal in 2008 for his contribution to building peace and stability in Afghanistan.

At Headquarters, Mr. Lalani has worked in the Office of the Senior Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process as coordinator for the Balkans, was director of the South Asia Division and director general of both the South and Southeast Asia Bureau and the Strategic Policy Bureau.

He was founder and chair of the Working Group on Relations with Muslim Communities from 2005 to 2006. Mr. Lalani is a member of the Operating Board of Directors of the Centre for International Governance Innovation. He also serves as a senior fellow and member of the Advisory Board for the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto.

In August 2012, Mr. Lalani was appointed ambassador to the United Arab Emirates with concurrent appointment as Canada’s first-ever special envoy to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in April 2013.

He is a recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for service to Canada and Canadians.

Feb, 2014: His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan addresses the joint session of Canadian Parliament.
circled Arif Lalani, Canadian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates
(Photo Canadian Prime Minister’s Office)
The Hill Times: Power & Influence: AKF CEO Khalil Shariff & Canadian Ambassador Arif Lalani
Arif Lalani, Canadian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates
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