Amir A. Dossal, is a British chartered accountant and a social innovator. He is the founder and chairman of the Global Partnerships Forum, an international platform to address economic and social challenges, through innovative partnerships. Dossal is also co-initiator of the Pearl Initiative, which promotes transparency in the Gulf Region.
United Nations appointment
Until September 2010, Dossal was the United Nations' Chief Liaison for Partnerships. He developed strategic alliances with governments, corporations, foundations and philanthropists to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. One of Dossal's responsibilities was as the UN's Representative for the partnership with media mogul Ted Turner's US$1 billion donation, through the UN Foundation, supporting over 450 programmes and projects for women and children's health, population, climate change, and biodiversity. Amir also oversaw management of the UN Democracy Fund, which he established in 2005, to strengthen institutions and enhance democratic governance in new or restored democracies. Since joining the United Nations in 1985, Dossal has led a number of new initiatives. In 1997 he set up the Management Policy Office to oversee reform within the United Nations and two years later he established the UN Fund for International Partnerships, as the interface for the UN Foundation. In 2005 he set up the UN Democracy Fund followed by the UN Office for Partnerships in 2007 to oversee multiple partnership functions. Other projects included the creation of a business advisory council for the Greater Tumen Region, to attract investment in NE Asia in 2007; the launch of the Digital Health Initiative focused on m-health applications & services, and telemedicine in 2008.; and the Foundation for a Digital UN in 2012.
Further engagement
Prior to joining the United Nations, he worked in business for over 15 years. He has lived and worked in Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Middle East, and North America. Amir regularly undertakes speaking engagements, and serves on several non-profit boards. Dossal is Co-Founder of two other not-for-profits, the Pearl Initiative, a business-led organization promoting transparency and accountability in the Middle East, and the Ocean Sanctuary Alliance, a multi-stakeholder partnership to protect coastal and marine seas around the world. Amir is also Commissioner of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development. In December 2010, Prince Albert II of Monaco appointed Dossal as Ambassador for Peace and Sport. In 2014, President Tommy Remengesau, Jr., President of Palau, appointed Dossal as his Special Representative for Global Partnerships. In 2015, the UN Global Compact appointed Amir as Special Adviser for Strategic Relationships. From 2010 to 2014, he served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union for Global Partnerships. Dossal is a 25-year veteran of the United Nations, and was the UN's Chief Liaison for Partnerships. As Executive Director of the UN Office for Partnerships, he managed the $1 billion gift by media mogul Ted Turner; and forged strategic alliances to address the Millennium Development Goals. He also set-up and managed the UN Democracy Fund, to strengthen democratic processes in new or restored democracies. Amir spearheaded the UN's engagement with companies, foundations & civil society across sectors - Education, Health, Technology, Environment, and Peace, Security & Human Rights. Set-up Diaspora Networks for Africa and the Caribbean to promote new investments in the region.
Personal life
He qualified from Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, London in 1975 and lives in New York City. He is married to Tas Dossal, and the couple has one son, Zecki.
Awards
In October 2010 Amir Dossal, together with Feike Sijbesma, CEO of manufacturing companyDSM, received the Humanitarian Award of the United Nations Association of New York for their accomplishments in partnerships to end poverty and world hunger. Amir Dossal was appointed an Ambassador for Peace and Sport, a Monaco-based international organisation, in December 2010. In 2016, the ICAEW bestowed Dossal with an Outstanding Achievement Award. In 2017, Dossal received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
