Ambassador Rahmani has a strong record of fostering international relationships, negotiating key agreements, and enhancing diplomatic ties.
Ambassador Rahmani is a natural diplomat with high emotional intelligence and an unwavering focus on results. She believes that, ultimately, everything is personal, and her genuine interest in people makes her a persuasive lobbyist. Treating others with respect and empathy, she combines attention to detail and patience to excel as a negotiator, earning her the nickname "Iron Lady of the East" in many negotiations.
Ambassador Rahmani’s remarkable achievements and strong reputation in Washington D.C. led to her being highly sought after in advisory roles. She has served as an advisor to more than 14 organizations across various fields, including women’s empowerment, security, economic development, youth, veteran affairs, and education. She continues to serve in several of these roles today, further demonstrating her influence in shaping impactful global initiatives.
Ambassador Rahmani believes deeply in the power of listening, which has been instrumental in building trust across her global network of policymakers, academics, business leaders, politicians, and social activists. In Indonesia, her exceptional people skills earned her the title of "People’s Ambassador," further solidifying her reputation as a trusted and empathetic diplomat. With a holistic view of diplomacy, she attributes her trailblazing success to her passion for diverse issues and her unique background, having lived multiple lives and identities.
Her leadership and global impact were further recognized when she was named among TIME Magazine's inaugural "100 Next Most Influential People." In addition to her advisory work, Ambassador Rahmani has been featured by most major international media outlets, further cementing her status as a prominent global figure in diplomacy, women’s rights, and international development.
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As the first female Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States, Ambassador Rahmani played a pivotal role in securing over $2 billion in aid by negotiating key waivers with the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch. Her success was rooted in her ability to build bipartisan relationships and foster a network of support on Capitol Hill. She orchestrated high-profile events, including a presidential visit with a 52-member delegation, and championed cultural diplomacy, overseeing the repatriation of 53 trafficked historical artifacts. Beyond her diplomatic achievements, she also improved the organizational, management, and operational efficiency of the embassy, enhancing its functionality by 50% in two years.
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Ambassador Rahmani broke new ground as the first woman to serve as Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Indonesia. In this role, she achieved unprecedented diplomatic success, surpassing 62 years of bilateral achievements within two years. She orchestrated state visits, fostered relationships with Indonesian civil society and religious leaders, and established the Afghan-Indonesian Business Council. In addition to her diplomatic contributions, she revamped the operational and management systems of the embassy, increasing its efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. Her efforts also extended to facilitating cooperation in security and civil services between the two countries.
As Afghanistan’s representative to ASEAN, Rahmani played a key role in deepening Afghanistan’s engagement with the Southeast Asian bloc. Her strategic outreach to ASEAN countries enhanced cooperation on issues ranging from economic development to counterterrorism, while also advocating for women’s rights in the region. She mobilized partnerships with donor countries and organizations, driving technical cooperation and capacity-building efforts.
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During her tenure as ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Rahmani also served as a non-resident ambassador to Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Mexico.In this role, Ambassador Rahmani worked to forge relationships with her counterparts despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. She actively exchanged insights on shared experiences and explored areas for collaboration, building a foundation for future diplomatic and economic partnerships.
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While concurrently serving as Ambassador to Indonesia, Rahmani also spearheaded the establishment of Afghanistan’s bilateral relationship with Singapore. She facilitated the signing of six critical Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), covering areas such as security, economics, and civil services, marking a significant milestone in Afghanistan’s diplomatic outreach to Singapore. Her efforts were instrumental in opening doors for collaboration between Afghanistan and Singapore, particularly within the private sector.