Passed over for junior colleague, Wahiduzzaman seeks 10-day leave from UN mission

A senior Bangladeshi diplomat at the United Nations has sought 10 days of casual leave and permission to leave New York after expressing dissatisfaction over a decision to bypass him for the position of acting head of the country's Permanent Mission.

AKM Wahiduzzaman, also known as Apollo, Bangladesh's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, wrote to Foreign Secretary Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury on November 12, questioning the decision to appoint another deputy permanent representative as chargé d’affaires during the upcoming absence of Ambassador Irene Zubaida Khan.

In the letter, which was obtained by Daily Waadaa, Wahiduzzaman said the decision had caused him "considerable professional concern" and appeared to violate government service rules.

He requested casual leave and permission to leave his station from November 13 to 22, the exact period during which the permanent representative is scheduled to be away from New York.

The timing of the request suggests that Wahiduzzaman does not intend to remain at the mission while another officer performs the duties of acting head. 

Wahiduzzaman, who holds ambassador rank at Grade 1, joined the Permanent Mission in New York on July 15, 2026.

"Since joining the Mission, I have been discharging my responsibilities as Deputy Permanent Representative-1," he wrote. He also pointed out that he had previously served as acting head of the mission.

"During the departure of the former Permanent Representative, Mr. Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, in August 2026, I had the privilege of serving as Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Mission," the letter said.

A separate diplomatic communication dated August 10 supports that account.

In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, then Bangladesh's permanent representative, informed the UN that he would leave New York on August 12 following the completion of his tenure.

"Until my successor arrives, Amb. A K M Wahiduzzaman, Deputy Permanent Representative, will act as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i.," Salahuddin wrote.

The same communication informed the UN that Irene Zubaida Khan had been appointed Bangladesh's next permanent representative and was expected to arrive in New York on August 25.

The latest dispute arose after Irene scheduled a visit to Shanghai, China, from November 13 to 22 to attend the fifth Seminar on AI Capacity-Building.

According to Wahiduzzaman's letter, although he remains Deputy Permanent Representative-1 and holds the rank of ambassador at Grade 1, the mission has designated Deputy Permanent Representative-2 to act as chargé d’affaires during Irene's absence.

He noted that the officer selected for the assignment holds ambassador rank at Grade 3.

"During her absence, although I currently serve as Deputy Permanent Representative-I and hold the rank of Ambassador (Grade-1), but another officer rank of Deputy Permanent Representative-2 and hold the rank of Ambassador (Grade-3) has been designated to perform the functions of Chargé d’Affaires a.i.," he wrote.

Wahiduzzaman questioned the decision on administrative grounds.

"In these circumstances, I respectfully submit that the decision has caused me considerable professional concern, which I think is against government service rules," he wrote.

He then requested leave.

"Accordingly, I would like to request the Ministry to kindly grant me casual leave, along with permission to leave station, for the period from 13 to 22 November 2026."

He concluded by seeking the ministry's consideration and approval.

The request was addressed directly to the foreign secretary, with copies sent to Public Administration Adviser Md Ismail Zabihullah, State Minister for Public Administration Md Abdul Bari, Permanent Representative Irene Zubaida Khan, Cabinet Secretary Nasiul Ghani and the director general of administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A separate note verbale issued by the Permanent Mission on November 12 confirms the arrangement that prompted his objection.

The diplomatic note, circulated to all permanent and observer missions to the United Nations in New York, states that Irene will be away from November 13 to 22.

"During her absence, Ms. Shanchita Haque, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of this Mission will be acting as Charge d’ Affaires, a.i.," the note states.

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