Abu Sufian Ali

Abu Sufian bin Haji Ali (born 23 March 1966) is a Brunei diplomat who became the ambassador to Belgium from 2017 to 2021, and the permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva.

Education Abu Sufian received his Bachelor of Arts in international relations from Staffordshire Polytechnic in the United Kingdom in 1990. Additionally, he has attended several courses, including the 7th Annual Young Professional Conference in San Francisco, the 7th Special Training on WTO Dispute Settlement and Practices in Geneva, a Programme on Preventive Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution in Washington, D.C, and an Executive Development Programme at the Ministry of Defence.

Diplomatic career From 1990 to 1994, Abu Sufian served as a researcher at the Department of Economy within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Subsequently, in 1994–1995, he continued his research role at the China and ASEAN Department of Political Affairs within the same ministry. His diplomatic assignments include being a Second Secretary at the Brunei Permanent Mission to the UN and other international organisations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, from 1995 to 1998. Following this, he held the position of First Secretary at the same mission from 1998 to 2000. Later on the 20th, he submits his credentials to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Concurrently, he held the important positions of permanent representative to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTB) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.

Belgium Transitioning to his role in defence, from 2014 to 2016, he served as the Deputy Permanent Secretary with a focus on Defense Policy and Development at the Ministry of Defense. After being appointed as the new ambassador to Belgium, Abu Sufian received his new letter of credential from Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman on 13 August 2016. At this capacity, he would hold accredations to Benelux countries, the European Union (EU), the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Hungary, Sweden, and Denmark. He would also on 22 February 2017, present his credentials to King Willem-Alexander at the Noordeinde Palace. Additionally, he replaced Serbini Ali as the new Head of Mission of Brunei to the European Union. In 2017, he was also the chairman ASEAN Brussels Committee. During his tenure, he saw the Sultan's visit to Brussels to attend the 12th Asia-Europe Summit Meeting in October 2018.

Personal life Abu Sufian was born in Kuala Belait on 23 March 1966, married to Anisamawati Osman and together they have three children. His hobbies included playing golf, jogging, badminton and football.

Honours Throughout his career, he has earned the following honours;