LONDON/DUBAI: The Intergovernmental Institution for the Use of Microalgae Spirulina Against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), an autonomous intergovernmental observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, has appointed UAE-based Pakistani businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor as its pro bono ambassador-at-large to promote Spirulina and advance the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in combating global malnutrition.
“Umar Farooq has been appointed Pro Bono Ambassador-at-Large within the office of the Secretary-General,” according to a letter from Remigio Maradona, MSA, Permanent Secretary-General.
This position is designed to strengthen IIMSAM’s efforts in the fight against malnutrition.
In its letter to Zahoor, IIMSAM says the ambassador will help combat malnutrition by managing the global free distribution of Spirulina, focusing on marginalized areas, especially Pakistan, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2020-2030.
His appointment as pro bono ambassador-at-large, according to the letter issued by IIMSAM, supports the organisation’s mandate to combat malnutrition by facilitating free distribution of Spirulina to underprivileged sections internationally, particularly in Pakistan, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2020-2030 under the Decade of Action.
IIMSAM serves as an independent intergovernmental observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, a role conferred upon it by ECOSOC Resolution 2003. The organization is instrumental in addressing global malnutrition through the promotion and distribution of Spirulina, a highly nutritious microalgae.
Some of the other prominent personalities recently appointed as IIMSAM Goodwill Ambassadors are Sheikha Roda Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Moaza Obaid Suhail Al Maktoum, Sheikh Juma Bin Juma Al Maktoum and Princess Basma Bin Talal.
IIMSAM states that its mission is to promote and sustain life-saving initiatives in accordance with the principles laid out in the United Nations Charter. The institution's mission includes promoting life-saving programmes, monitoring the global distribution of Spirulina, and working with various stakeholders to address nutritional deficiencies, especially in underserved regions.
Last month, President Asif Ali Zardari approved the Hilal-e-Imtiaz project for Zahoor, which will bring in over $400 million in foreign direct investment to Pakistan over the past 18 months. This investment has been directed towards infrastructure, ports and logistics, and projects worth over $2 billion are known to be currently underway in various fields including energy, distribution, agriculture, information technology, logistics and real estate.
Zahoor was recently awarded the Medal of Honor by the Republic of Equatorial Guinea for bringing more than $55 million in foreign direct investment to the country. The award was presented to him by the President of Equatorial Guinea during a ceremony attended by dignitaries from both local and Middle Eastern countries.
Earlier this year, Zahoor resigned from his post as Ambassador-at-Large to the Republic of Liberia after serving in the role for five years. The Republic of Liberia expressed its appreciation for Zahoor's services and accepted his resignation.
An official letter stated: “We sincerely appreciate your commitment to supporting Liberia in every capacity and welcome your continued involvement in enhancing bilateral relations between Liberia and other nations. This assurance is a testament to your unwavering dedication to the betterment of our society.”
