Nadhirah Zanudin

Subject studied: MSt Diplomatic Studies

Location: Malaysia

Nadhirah is a seasoned career diplomat with over 15 years of experience in Malaysia’s Foreign Service, currently at the Human Rights and Humanitarian Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia. In this role, Nadhirah plays a substantive role in formulating, implementing, and coordinating Malaysia’s policies and positions on human rights and humanitarian issues at both national and international levels. 

Her diplomatic career has spanned multiple geographies and portfolios, including prior postings in Washington, D.C., where she served as First Secretary of Politics and Congressional Affairs, and interfaced directly with U.S. institutions such as Capitol Hill, the Department of State, and the National Security Council. Subsequently, Nadhirah served as Political Counsellor at the Embassy of Malaysia in Manila, deepened Malaysia–Philippines relations and championed Malaysia’s positions on regional and international issues such as maritime security.

Throughout her tenure at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Putrajaya, Nadhirah has contributed significantly to Malaysia’s positions in bilateral, regional and multilateral settings, including her assignments at the East Asia Division, Multilateral Political Division and the ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat as well as short term assignments at the 71st United Nations General Assembly in New York, and the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. 

She has negotiated a wide range of issues; human rights, regional security, socio-economic cooperation, and played key roles in crisis communication, including during the MH370 tragedy. She continues to serve Malaysia’s interests with professionalism and distinction in the evolving diplomatic landscape of Southeast Asia.