Biographical Note

New permanent representative of Afghanistan presents credentials

 

(Based on information received from the Protocol and Liaison Service.)

Zahir Tanin, the new Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations, today presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Tanin was an Editor of BBC World Service Persian/Pashto Section in Afghanistan in 2003-2006 and Afghanistan and Central Asia, Persian Section, in 2001-2003.  Before that, he worked as Senior Producer (2000 to 2001) and Producer (1995 to 2000).

Having started his career in 1980 as a journalist in Kabul, Mr. Tanin came to BBC from the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he was a Research Fellow at the International Relations Department in 1994 to 1995.  Prior to that, he was a freelance writer in France (1992-1993) and Editor-in-Chief of Afkbar-e-Haftah and Sabawoon Magazine.  Mr. Tanin was co-author of The Communist Regime in Afghanistan, a comprehensive study of the political and social changes in Afghanistan from 1978 to 1992, and authored Afghanistan in the Twentieth Century.  He also produced a 29-part programmed entitled The Oral History of Afghanistan in the 20^th Century, broadcast by the BBC.

A graduate of the Kabul Medical University, Mr. Tanin has also completed several BBC broadcasting, media management, finance management and other courses, as well as an extensive one-year BBC leadership programme.

Born on May 1 1956, Mr. Tanin is married with two children.

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For information media • not an official record