Her Excellency Safia Taleb Al-Suhail stands as one of Iraq’s most accomplished diplomats and public servants — a pioneer who has reshaped the nation’s modern diplomatic presence while championing human rights, women’s empowerment, and cultural preservation.
Born in 1965 into the distinguished Al-Suhail family, the sheikhs of Iraq’s Tamim tribe, Safia was raised in an environment steeped in leadership and national responsibility. Her father, Sheikh Taleb Ali Al-Suhail, a major political leader and Sheikh of the Tamim tribe, was assassinated in Beirut in 1994, a loss that profoundly shaped her commitment to justice and public service.
Academic and Political Foundations
Safia earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Political Science from the University of Jordan in 1989 and completed postgraduate studies in international relations, humanitarian law, conflict management, leadership, and diplomacy at several international institutes.
During the 1990s, she emerged as a leading opposition figure against Saddam Hussein’s regime. She testified before the United Nations and the European Parliament and worked with the International Coalition for Justice, a global network headquartered in Paris, where she led its Middle East and North Africa division.
Champion of Women’s Rights
Following the fall of the former regime, Safia launched a landmark initiative titled “Voice of Iraqi Women”, which united survivors of dictatorship and advocated for accountability, justice, and women’s participation in rebuilding Iraq.
In 2003, she organized the first women’s conference in Baghdad, calling for gender equality and women’s representation in government. Her activism played a crucial role in enshrining women’s rights within the Iraqi Constitution of 2005 and in establishing Iraq’s women’s quota system in parliament.
A Distinguished Diplomatic Career
Safia Taleb Al-Suhail made history in 2004 as the first Iraqi woman appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, marking a turning point for women in Iraq’s foreign service.
Her extensive diplomatic record includes:
- Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2022–2023)
- Ambassador of Iraq to Italy, and non-resident Ambassador to Malta and San Marino (2020–2022)
- Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations agencies in Rome (FAO, WFP, IFAD) (2020–2022)
- Ambassador to Jordan and non-resident Ambassador to Palestine (2016–2019)
- Head of Europe Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2014–2016)
- Elected Member of Parliament, representing Baghdad (2006–2014)
Her leadership has helped modernize Iraq’s diplomatic image abroad while strengthening multilateral cooperation and humanitarian partnerships.
Cultural and Social Advocacy
Beyond politics, Safia has been a steadfast supporter of civil society, cultural preservation, and youth empowerment. In 2007, she founded a cultural council in Baghdad, one of the capital’s most influential platforms for promoting art, heritage, and dialogue.
Her lifelong advocacy for freedom, equality, and inclusion reflects her vision of an Iraq rooted in justice and shared humanity.
Honors and International Recognition
Her Excellency has received numerous awards and commendations, including:
- The Jerusalem Star Medal (2019), presented by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for diplomatic excellence.
- Recognition by His Holiness Pope Francis I at the Vatican in 2021.
- The Minerva Award, granted by the Municipality of Rome and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for contributions to international diplomacy.
- Certificates of Appreciation from the FAO and WFP for representing Iraq at the UN agencies.
- The Marzani International Journalistic and Literary Award, conferred under the supervision of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Personal Life and the Jaff Connection
Safia Taleb Al-Suhail is married to His Excellency Bakhtiar Jabbar Amin Al-Jaff, former Minister of Human Rights of Iraq, a respected statesman and scholar. Together they have one son, Miro Taleb (“Prince Taleb”), born in 2001.
Her husband belongs to the Jaff tribe, one of the oldest and most prominent Kurdish tribes in the Middle East — historically renowned for its leadership, independence, and political influence. The Jaffs have played a decisive role in Iraqi and Kurdish history for centuries, leading vast territories across Sulaymaniyah, Halabja, and the Zagros region. The tribe is celebrated for its contributions to peacebuilding, governance, and diplomacy, with generations of leaders serving as mediators and defenders of national unity. The last leader was Dawood Jaff.
Through this union, Safia represents the coming together of two of Iraq’s most historically significant lineages — the Arab Al-Suhail and the Kurdish Jaff — symbolizing Iraq’s plural identity and shared heritage.
A Legacy of Leadership
From the halls of parliament to the chambers of the United Nations, Her Excellency Safia Taleb Al-Suhail continues to exemplify Iraq’s modern face — one defined by resilience, reform, and representation. Her life’s work stands as a testament to the power of diplomacy, equality, and national service, inspiring a new generation of Iraqis to lead with integrity and vision.
