Saber Azam is a native of Afghanistan. At 22, he left Kabul for Switzerland to study at the prestigious “École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,” where he obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Ph.D. in the field of advanced nuclear technology.

Following the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union in 1979, he engaged in mobilizing support for the Afghan Resistance, refugees, and internally displaced persons while pursuing his academic endeavors. He contributed significantly to sensitizing Western capitals on the deplorable plight of Afghan people under the Red Army occupation and advocated a wide-range discussion on Afghanistan’s post-Soviet withdrawal scenarios. He also presided over the “Comité Afghan d’Aide Humanitaire”; in Geneva and promoted the Swiss public and private sectors’ involvement in reconstructing war-torn countries. 

In 1994, he joined the United Nations (UN), devoting his life to peace and security of the world and humankind’s well-being. He served with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Côte d’Ivoire and Kenya before becoming the Deputy Special Envoy of this world body for Southeast Europe. In 2001, he moved to the UN Department for Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO) and assumed senior functions in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Kosovo. In 2006, he returned to UNHCR and served as Representative of the organization in Côte d’Ivoire, Bangladesh, and Rwanda and as Regional Representative and Coordinator for Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan). His assignments have provided him with an in-depth knowledge of the world’s affairs, particularly West, East, and the Great Lakes region of Africa, South and Central Asia, the Balkans, and the Rohingya situation.

He is writing historical fiction based on his experience around the world. So far, he has authored SORAYA: The Other Princess and HELL’S MOUTH: A Journey to the Heart of West African Jungles. He is also writing political articles about the situation in Central and South Asia and the need to reform the United Nations.