“God willing, I would like to see some of you as the Kingdom’s ambassadors abroad shortly,” Obaid told the women staff of the Foreign Ministry during a lecture at the ministry’s premises on Monday. Obaid said Saudi Arabia’s membership in the UN Security Council in 2014 would help it play an important role in highlighting Arab and Islamic causes, especially Middle East peace and the situation in Iraq.

“The presence of Saudi Arabia in these international forums will open horizons for it to discuss a number of issues in support of Arab causes,” she said. Obaid, who was undersecretary general of the United Nations from 2000 to 2010, highlighted the important position achieved by Saudi women. “I have found them very efficient in carrying out their duties.” She said the World Women’s Day celebrations in the Kingdom should focus on Saudi women’s achievements at the national, regional and international levels as well as their increasing role in society.

Obaid also disclosed plans to publish three books — one in defense of Muslims, the second on the difficulties being faced by women in realizing their ambitions, and the third on successful women who have realized their dreams.

The lecture titled “Dialogue around the United Nations” was given as part of “Liqa Al-Maarifa”  (Meeting of knowledge) that was organized by the ministry. Obaid said she was the first Saudi woman to get a scholarship to study in the US. She obtained her doctorate in English literature and cultural anthropology from Wayne State University, Michigan.

She spoke about her experiences at the United Nations and her activities in the fields of relief, health, population, women and youth. “I have always tried to support governments to set out capacity building programs for women,” she said.

Obaid, who worked in Afghanistan, Jordan and Indonesia as a UN representative, has won a number of international awards including the Louis B. Sohn Human Rights Award and the Order of Dionisio de Herrera for Service to Humanity.