Akmaral Arystanbekova

Akmaral Khaidarovna Arystanbekova
Born	Akmaral Khaidarovna Arystanbekova 12 May 1948 Almaty, Kazakhstan
Occupation	Diplomat and Politician
Known for	Ambassador to many countries and Permanent Representative to UN

Akmaral Khaidarovna Arystanbekova (born-12 May 1948) (Kazakh: Ақмарал Арыстанбекова; Russian: Акмарал Хайдаровна Арыстанбекова) is a Kazakhstani diplomat. She was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan from November 1989 to December 1991, and the first Permanent Representative (Ambassador) of Kazakhstan to the United Nations from 1992-1999. She became in 1992 the fourth women ambassador among 176 member states of the United Nations. After her UN assignment, she also served as Ambassador of Kazakhstan to France (1999 - 2003) and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)(1999-2001). Ms. Arystanbekova holds the diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan since 1993. Ms. Arystanbekova also holds a Doctorate degree in world history and is fluent in English and French.

Ms. Arystanbekova was born in Almaty on 12 May 1948 to parents Khaidar Arystanbekov and Sharbanu Nurmuhamedova. She graduated with honors from the Kazakh State University, Alma-Ata with Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1971 and in 1975 followed up with Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D). She continued her professional career as a faculty member at the Kazakh State University from 1975-1978.

In 1978-1983 she served as Chief Secretary of the Central Committee Kazakh Komsomol. She also served as Deputy Chairman from 1983-1984 and then as chairman from 1984-1989 of the Presidium of the Kazakh Society for Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries.

Ms. Arystanbekova became the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Government of Kazakhstan in November 1989 and served till December 1991. In December 1991 she was assigned to New York to make preparations for Kazakhstan's entry to the United Nations which took place on 2 March 1992. At that time she worked in the Permanent Mission of the USSR, later the Russian Federation, as a Senior counselor. From April 1992 to October 1999 Ms. Arystanbekova served as the first Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations. In 1996-1999 she also was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Cuba (non-resident). During 1994-1995 she was a Vice-President of the 49th session of the UN General Assembly. Her other roles in the UN were as Vice-Chairman of the Executive Board of UNICEF in 1998, and Vice-Chairman of the First Committee of 53rd UN General Assembly session during 1998. She completed her assignment as Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the United Nations in October 1999 when Kofi Annan, was the Secretary-General. Upon completion of the UN assignment she worked as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to France in 1999-2003 and Permanent Delegate to the UNESCO (1999-2001).Since 2003 she has served as Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

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