Kuwait launches memoir of pioneering diplomat Nabila Al-Mulla at Saud Al-Nasser Institute
The Launch of Ambassador Nabila Al-Mulla's Memoirs
In a special event befitting the occasion, the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute unveiled Ambassador Nabila Al-Mulla's memoirs titled "Breaking New Ground on the Global Stage..." The book, a chronicle of the first Kuwaiti female ambassador's remarkable diplomatic adventure, was presented during a grand forum under the auspices of Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya.
The event drew an illustrious crowd, featuring His Highness Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah, the GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Budaiwi, and other distinguished diplomats, as per Al-Rai daily reports.
Delivering a speech, Al-Budaiwi lauded Al-Mulla's pioneering diplomatic career and her profound influence on regional and international arenas. Dwelling on their past collaboration in Vienna, he recognized her as a role model and a source of inspiration for diplomatic staff. He lauded the achievements of Kuwaiti women in the diplomatic sphere and politics, emphasizing the significant strides women in these fields continue to make.
Nasser Al-Subaih, Assistant Foreign Minister for the Diplomatic Institute, esteemed the memoir as a valuable guide for future generations, encapsulating a diplomatic odyssey spanning almost three decades and encompassing seminal global events. He appreciated Al-Mulla's professional prowess and paid tribute to her family's historical role in the political landscape of Kuwait. The book delves into her experiences during the liberation movements, the Iran-Iraq War, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, and her tenure as the president of the IAEA Board of Governors.
In her address, Al-Mulla revealed her motivation for writing the memoir was rooted in the importance of preserving history, especially in Arab societies where local, reliable sources are scarce. She aims to instill in future generations a sense of political and intellectual consciousness. She reminisced about major milestones in her career, including her role in establishing international forces in Lebanon (1978), her response to the 1990 Iraqi invasion, and her management of the Iranian nuclear file (2003).
During a discussion with institute trainees, Al-Mulla advocated for the development of the Diplomatic Institute through international collaborations and scholarships. She underscored the need for stronger relations with global organizations like the UN, EU, and IAEA. She criticized bureaucratic hurdles within government bodies and called upon the youth to acquire international field experience.
Regarding Gulf unity, Al-Budaiwi reiterated the GCC's steadfast and united stance on regional and international matters. He underscored the importance of ongoing consultations and collaborations among member states.
A trailblazer in various ways, Al-Mulla boasts of numerous firsts—she was the first Kuwaiti, Gulf, and Arab woman ambassador and the first Arab woman to head a delegation to the UN and chair the IAEA Board. Her career spans over four decades and encompasses her academics in Lebanon, her ambassadorship in post-apartheid Zimbabwe, and her representation of Kuwait at the United Nations.
References:
- AMEInfo. (2018, December 2). Ambassador Nabila Al Mulla becomes the first Arab woman to chair the IAEA Board of Governors. AME Information. Retrieved May 18, 2023, from https://ameinfo.com/2018/12/02/ambassador-nabila-al-mulla-becomes-the-first-arab-woman-to-chair-the-iaea-board-of-governors/
- Al-Mulla, N. (2019). Breaking New Ground on the Global Stage. Public Affairs.
- Ambassador Nabila Al-Mulla's memoir, titled "Breaking New Ground on the Global Stage," was presented during a grand forum under the auspices of Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya.
- Jassim Al-Budaiwi, the GCC Secretary-General, lauded Al-Mulla's pioneering diplomatic career and her profound influence on regional and international arenas.
- In her memoir, Al-Mulla aims to instill in future generations a sense of political and intellectual consciousness, especially in Arab societies where local, reliable sources are scarce.
- Al-Mulla, the first Arab woman to head a delegation to the UN and chair the IAEA Board, advocated for the development of the Diplomatic Institute through international collaborations and scholarships.
- Al-Budaiwi reiterated the GCC's steadfast and united stance on regional and international matters, emphasizing the importance of ongoing consultations and collaborations among member states.
