Gulnara Karimova
Former Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the UN in Geneva (2008–2013) and ambassador to Spain (2010–2012); elder daughter of Islam Karimov.
- Occupation:
- Politician, Diplomat
- Stage name:
- Googoosha
- Born:
- July 8 1972(54 years old) ♋
- Birthplace:
- Fergana
- Father:
- Islam Karimov
Biography
Gulnara Karimova was born on 8 July 1972 in Fergana; she is the elder daughter of Islam Karimov, the first President of Uzbekistan. She began her diplomatic work in 1995 as an adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later worked at Uzbekistan's mission to the United Nations and at the embassy in Moscow.
In February 2008 she was appointed deputy foreign minister for international cooperation in cultural and humanitarian affairs. In September of that year she became Uzbekistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva, a post she held until 2013. From January 2010 to July 2012 she was Uzbekistan's ambassador to Spain.
In 2005 she founded the Centre for Political Studies. She was a trustee of the Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Foundation, whose projects included the “Asrlar Sadosi” traditional culture festival and the Tashkent international film forum. She performed as a singer under the name Googoosha and worked in jewellery design and the GULI fashion brand.
Career
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of UzbekistanAdviser to the minister (1995–1996, 2005–2008); deputy minister for cultural and humanitarian cooperation (2008) · Tashkent · 1995–2008
- Embassy of Uzbekistan in Russia (Moscow)Minister-counsellor · 2003–2005
- Permanent Mission of Uzbekistan to the UN and other international organisations in GenevaPermanent Representative · 2008–2013
Life path
- 1995Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Began work as an adviser to the minister.
- 2003Embassy in Moscow
Minister-counsellor at the Uzbek embassy until 2005.
- 2005Centre for Political Studies
Founded the centre.
- 2008Deputy foreign minister
Appointed deputy minister for international cooperation in cultural and humanitarian affairs (February).
- 2008Permanent Representative in Geneva
Appointed Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organisations (September); held the post until 2013.
- 2010Ambassador to Spain
Uzbekistan's ambassador to Spain from January 2010 to July 2012.