Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dr. Syed Muntasir Mamun is an accomplished Strategic Affairs & Finance Professional with 25+ years of experience. He spent 21+ years in the Foreign Service, advancing trade, investments, and cultural exchanges while building international partnerships and navigating complex geo-strategic landscapes across South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific. He also brings 4+ years in FX and Structured Finance, designing innovative solutions in platform banking, foreign exchange, and corporate finance. His track record includes delivering time-critical, mission-critical initiatives, coordinating high-value trades, forging public-private partnerships, and building trusted stakeholder relationships. He specializes in High Profile Client Development and Management (HPCDM), National Integrated Strategy (NIS) Formulation, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and AI Ethics. A recognized thought leader, he is the author of Blockchains: Gaming and Collusion – A Reading in Political Economy (Amazon https://www.amazon.com/author/syedmuntasir) and AI, Africa and Diplomacy (Eliva Books https://elivabooks.com/en/book/book-3429120181). Open-access papers are available at Academia.edu (https://syedmamun.academia.edu/research) and GitHub (https://drmuntasir.github.io/publications/). He welcomes connections on the intersection of technology, finance, diplomacy, and ethics.
Accelerating Diplomatic Transformation: A 30-Month, Sub-$30K Digital Odyssey. In a groundbreaking achievement, my team spearheaded the digital transformation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and its 81 global missions. This ambitious endeavor, executed within a remarkably tight budget, delivered a suite of innovative solutions that have significantly enhanced operational efficiency, diplomatic outreach, and citizen services. Key Accomplishments: Established the International Trade, Investment, and Technology Wing: -Pioneered an AI-driven innovation hub, revolutionizing service delivery and process automation. Forged a National Strategic Business Framework: -Developed the inaugural strategic blueprint for MOFA, aligning IT strategy with diplomatic objectives. Hosted Landmark Events: -Curated the inaugural Economic Diplomacy Week (2022) and Bangladesh Business Summit (2023), attracting over 1,000 global delegates and positioning Bangladesh as a strategic partner. Fostered Innovation: -Launched Innovation Adda and MOFA-a2i iLab, catalyzing a culture of innovation and showcasing cutting-edge solutions. Bridged (attempted) the Digital Divide: - Introduced the e-Quality Centre, a global initiative to eliminate digital disparities, officially launched at the UNGA 2023. #DigitalDiplomacy #DigitalTransformation #AI #Innovation #eGovernment #GlobalImpact #institutionalvoids
Major epistemological components - conceived, conceptualized and rolled out end-to-end - include: i. Setting up the International Trade, Investment and Technology Wing of the Foreign Office for an AI-led innovation for service and process delivery as its First Director General ii. Creating a national level Strategic Business Framework for the first time from the Foreign Office iii. Hosting the first Economic Diplomacy Week in 2022 iv. Hosting the first Bangladesh Business Summit in 2023 with close to 1,000 foreign delegates and showcasing Bangladesh capabilities for global supply chain participation v. Innovation Adda and MOFA-a2i iLab (the first ever innovation showcasing in Bangladesh) vi. Hosting the first-ever global service and innovation series of talks on MOFA Telegram highlighting the innovations and reducing information asymmetry vii. Launching the e-Quality Centre for Zero Digital Divide across the globe – launched officially from the UNGA in 2023.
Director General (ICT Wing) Milestones Complete and Comprehensive Digital Transformation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its 81 Missions abroad in 30 months at less than US$ 30k. Major systems components - conceived, conceptualized and rolled out end-to-end - include: i. Artificial Intelligence design (phase I; Neural Network) Challenge Fund 2023 for creating fully indigenous neural network ii. Centralised Appointment and Tracking Systems (CSAT/CATs) for eradicating lag time and possibilities for systemic corruption iii. Mission Activity Tracker (MAT; internal decision support system; for assigning responsibilities and tracking accountability) iv. Unified/Identical Websites (perpendicular web-matrix; real-time, simultaneous, synced webspace for 81 missions and the Headquarters – thereby reducing the cost of roll out and increasing ease of communication and interaction) v. Global MyGov Platform Deployment (for all 64 internal and external services for easing service delivery and automation/digitalization of services provided; vi. Global E-Nothi/D-Nothi Deployment for digitalizing the entire decision making processes of the Ministry. vii. MOFA Digital Archives (Comparable to Bangladesh Computer Council Archives); the first ever in 54 years of independence of Bangladesh viii. Note Verbale/Letter of Introduction Automation/Digitalisation ix. MOFA portal on Muktopaath Platform (open e-learning module for traiing and skill development; certification, authentication, accreditation and validation)
1. Application of Oxford Vantage Points in Strategy for devising Innovation Engines connecting BOP communities to Frontier Technologies. 2. Academic Advisor: IDMODEL project (The Inclusive Digital Model: https://www.oxfordtmcd.org/inclusive-digital-model-idmodel): The Technology and Management Centre for Development (TMCD) in collaboration the University of Birmingham for research into a new business model that seeks to enable the poorest people in developing countries to generate income and empower others by sharing their skills and experience using digital technology. 3. Speaking on political economy interfaces across South and East Asia. 4. Strategizing Post-BREXIT / Post-COVID19 5. CVE @Wilton Park for the Commonwealth Secretariat 6. Connecting dots on the GLOBAL strategy ecosystem. 7. Ethics and Narratives on #Blockchains, #Crypto and #AI Life Membership: Oxford Union Life Membership: American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)
• Responsibilities: (i) Preparing Strategy Briefs (ii) Drafting speeches and intervention documents and executing special-purpose initiatives of the High Commissioner - holding the rank and status of a Minister of State of the Government of Bangladesh (iii) Heading administrative responsibilities of the Chancery (valued at US$ 183.30 million) and the Mission covering (a) Finance (US $ 2 million/year), (b) Logistics (standing fleet of 12 high-end vehicles), (c) Supplies, (d) Utilities, (e) Engineering, (f) Projects, (g) Legal Affairs, and (h) Human Resources – Recruitment, Development and Discipline (78 member staff). (iv) Drafting assessment and policy documents for Peacekeeping Affairs (Capstone documents; Civilian roster; National Peacekeeping Policy), International Humanitarian Law, and Maritime Security dimensions affecting Bay-of-Bengal, Arabian Sea and South China Sea (Port Intervention; MSP; EUC; Citadel) (v) Assessing and coordinating efforts to combat Trans-National Crimes (narcotics; psychotropic substances; human trafficking; SALW) – with various UN, US and Indian institutions (vi) Coordinating investigations with international and domestic agencies (especially for counter terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in East and Northeast India). • Diplomatic milestones: (i) Negotiating and finalizing the unanimous passage and legislative adoption by both houses of the Indian national parliament of the historic Land Boundary Agreement (LBA). (ii) Attracting and negotiating US$ 2 Billion investment by Reliance Power into Bangladesh for a 1320 MW Super-Critical Power Plant (iii) Negotiating the first-ever trade in transboundary electric power (iv) Negotiating the Framework Agreement (v) Securing 2x US$ 1 billion Line-of-Credit; unilateral withdrawal of tariff barriers (vi) Hosting more than thirty mega cultural-festivals (viii) Organising the 3rd and 5th Rounds of Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue in Delhi, 2014 – 2015
• Organisational milestones include: (i) Comprehensive web-based interfacing of the Mission activities, including social media networking; Number of Hot Workstations increased from 27 to 45 (close to 1000 percent increase) (ii) Designing a corporate-finance architecture for the Mission under the general directives of the Mid-Term Budgetary Framework of the Government (innovation in public sector finances) (iii) Creating a show-case landscape with more than 89 different varieties of flora-fauna without additional asset allocation in difficult/harsh terrain over 1.8 acre area in six months - including the Monsoon (iv) Reducing protocol-operation related lead-time by 25% on a quarterly average. (v) Optimising Human Resource Deployment pattern to reflect the accountability-authority-responsibility equation (vi) Streamlining and optimising financial decisions resulting in reduced pilferage; attributable current expenditure saving (i.e., system-wide loss reduction) 30% (vii) Converting 28% of annualized current expenditure into long-term asset creation without hampering operational effectiveness (viii) Conceptualizing, conducting and directing the groundwork for the Friends of Bangladesh Liberation War 1971 award – recognising the contribution of individuals and institutions towards the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971
Multilateral Diplomacy; International Organizations; Strategic Security; International Humanitarian Law; Indian Affairs; Maritime Security; Conflict Potential Assessment Desks included: (i) Concurrent Desks: (a) SSP, (b) Policy and Organization, (c) Recruitment and Training, and (d) Rules, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka: August 2009 - July 2010 (ii) State Minister's Office (as Diplomatic Staff Officer to the State Minister for Foreign Affairs), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka: January 2009 - July 2009 (iii) South Asia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka: July 2008 - January 2009 (iv) International Organization, ASEAN Regional Forum, Non-Aligned Movement, Red Cross Movement, OIC, Commonwealth, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka: March 2007 - June 2008 (v) Americas, Pacific and Counter-Terrorism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka: April 2006 - March 2007 (vi) United Nations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka: September 2005 - April 2006 (vii) South Asia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka: July 2005 - September 2005
Mentored by @Dilip Dasgupta, Chevalier d’honneur and General Manager. (a) Relationship Manager (MNCs and Large-Local Corporate Portfolio Manager) Corporate Banking (From 08 September 2004 – 30 June 2005) - Supported two portfolios of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon worth Local Currency 2.4 Billion. (b) Foreign Exchange and Money Market Dealer (Fixed Income, Forex and Money Markets) Treasury and Foreign Exchange Dealing / Operations (From 28 February 2002 - 08 September 2004) - Supported entire range of FID and MM operations of Crédit Agricole Dhaka.