Mushfiqul Fazal appointed honorary senior fellow at Washington-based SAFN

Bangladeshi diplomat, journalist and human rights advocate Ambassador Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey has been appointed an Honorary Senior Fellow at the Washington-based South Asia Foresight Network (SAFN), the organization announced on Thursday.

Operating under The Millennium Project, SAFN conducts research and convenes dialogues on South Asia’s future challenges, geopolitics and public policy.

Announcing the appointment, SAFN highlighted the value of Ansarey’s experience in public service, journalism and diplomacy. It noted that his expertise would enrich the organization’s discussions and strengthen its engagement with diverse stakeholders in Washington. Researchers and wider audiences in Bangladesh would also benefit from his insights and analysis.

In his new role, Ansarey will contribute to policy dialogues and research. He will also help expand SAFN’s outreach and engagement in Washington while supporting the network’s research and other activities in Bangladesh.

With more than two decades of experience in public service, international affairs and the media, Ansarey currently serves as an ambassador with the rank of Senior Secretary, attached to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He previously served as Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Mexico, with concurrent accreditation to Costa Rica, Guatemala, Ecuador and Honduras.

Before entering diplomatic service, he served as Co-founder and Executive Director of the Washington-based human rights organization Right to Freedom and Executive Editor of South Asia Perspectives. He also worked as a White House and United Nations correspondent, gaining extensive experience covering U.S. policymaking and engaging with policy circles in Washington.

Other notable senior fellows at SAFN include Ambassador Erik Solheim, former Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and former Norwegian Minister of the Environment; Professor Dr. Kriengsak Chareonwongsak, a Thai economist and former member of parliament; Air Chief Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force; Professor Reena Marwah of the University of Delhi; Dr. Salma Malik, a Pakistani scholar specializing in defence and strategic studies; Professor Zhou Zhanggui of Zhejiang University in China; Maldivian diplomat Ambassador Omar Abdul Razzak and Dr. Uttam Kumar Sinha, a scholar specializing in climate change and transboundary rivers.

SAFN’s Bangladesh chapter is led by Major General (Retd.) A. N. M. Muniruzzaman, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies.