Saudi women appointed as political affairs officer at the UN

Saudi Arabian female lawyer Jood Al Harthi is the first woman to be appointed as political affairs officer at the Executive Office of the Secretary-General of the UN in New York. She joins a growing line of women diplomats who have taken on leading roles abroad for the kingdom.

Having worked at the UN for the past three years, Ms Al Harthi also worked at the secretary general's Rule of Law Unit for almost a year. Earlier, she worked in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund in Central Asia, South Asia and Europe.

Ms Al Harthi has also co-chaired the Peace and Security Pillar Anti-Racism Action Group. She graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in law from Swansea University in Wales and then achieved a master’s degree in law from SOAS University of London.

Before her recent post, Ms Al Harthi worked in international law firms in London and Dubai. In her new position, she will be working in areas covering peace, climate, women and youth empowerment, conflict and information management.

The announcement is “an extension of the empowerment of Saudi women and confidence in their capabilities,” Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday. So far five Saudi women represent the kingdom as ambassadors.