Ms. Thilmeeza Hussain, Director Regional Commissions New York Office
Ms. Thilmeeza Hussain is Director of the United Nations Regional Commissions New York Office, where she leads strategic coordination and engagement across the five Regional Commissions, strengthening their collective voice within the multilateral system.
Prior to her current role, she served as Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations, concurrently as Ambassador to the United States and non-resident High Commissioner to Canada. She also served as Special Envoy to the President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Hussain was Deputy Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations, where she worked extensively on gender equality, climate change, sustainable development, and issues affecting small island developing states. She has also served as Minister of State for Home Affairs in the North Province, and as an adjunct professor of sustainability at Ramapo College’s School of Social Sciences and Human Services.
Ms. Hussain is an Aspen Institute Fellow and has been a Visiting Fellow at Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Murdoch University and a Master’s degree in Management and Leadership.
With experience spanning government, the private sector, and civil society, Ms. Hussain has been a strong advocate for gender equality, climate action, and the protection of rights. Her work places particular emphasis on civil society engagement and advancing the priorities of small island developing states, with a focus on translating global commitments into inclusive and people-centered outcomes.