This conversation is part of a special series by The Diplomatic Insight and our digital platform DiploTV, through which we engage with esteemed leaders from diplomatic missions, international organizations, and global development institutions. The series aims to highlight individuals and initiatives advancing international cooperation, scientific diplomacy, climate resilience, gender equality, and transformative partnerships shaping the future of global development.
We are pleased to present this exclusive interview with H.E. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, the 6th and First Female President of the Republic of Mauritius, an internationally renowned biodiversity scientist, entrepreneur, and advocate for science-led development and women’s leadership. Her distinguished contributions continue to inspire global conversations on innovation, sustainability, and equitable growth.
Pakistan and Mauritius enjoy warm and cooperative relations founded on shared aspirations for socio-economic progress, South-South cooperation, and increasing engagement across education, tourism, trade, and cultural exchange. This feature not only celebrates this growing partnership but also underscores the expanding scope of Pakistan–Mauritius collaboration in today’s evolving geopolitical and economic landscape.
With a legacy of nearly two decades, The Diplomatic Insight continues to serve as a trusted platform for strategic communication connecting governments, embassies, international organizations, policymakers, development leaders, and the private sector with a broad and influential readership worldwide.
TDI: Your Excellency Ameenah, thank you for being with us and visiting Pakistan. Looking back at your early years, what inspired you to become who you are today, and what were your dreams and inspirations as a young Ameenah?
Well, first, it is a pleasure to be back in Pakistan after almost nine years. The country has changed a lot, Congratulations to its leadership.
I am the only daughter in my family, growing up with my brother in a small village in Mauritius with very little entertainment. The village had only a church and a library, where I spent hours reading. My father, a teacher, encouraged my curiosity, and I discovered new cultures and civilizations through books. I dreamed of leaving my village and achieving something meaningful.
My father ensured my brother and I had equal educational opportunities. At secondary school, I was inspired by my teachers, who explained science in everyday life why the sky is blue, chemistry in plants, and how cooking involves science. Witnessing the birth of Louise Brown, the first test-tube baby, made me realize the transformative power of science.
After A-Levels, I initially applied for a clerical post at the Ministry of Health but quickly realized I wanted to continue studying. I pursued a BSc in Chemistry at Surrey University, including industrial training, which taught me the rigors of research. Returning to Mauritius in 1983, I pursued a PhD in Organic Chemistry at Exeter University, then joined the University of Mauritius as a lecturer, focusing on plant chemistry and local biodiversity.
I created the first comprehensive database on medicinal and aromatic plants in the region and validated herbal medicine, earning the L’Oreal UNESCO Prize for Women in Science in 2007. I progressed academically to become the first female professor, Dean, and Deputy Vice Chancellor. Later, I founded my own enterprise, translating research into business.
My entry into politics was unexpected. After considering legal action over the Vice Chancellor post, a lawyer suggested positioning my name for the presidency. Despite no political experience, I ran, faced societal pressures, and ultimately became the first female President of Mauritius.
Throughout my journey, the support of my father, husband, parents, and extended family was invaluable. Their encouragement, guidance, and practical help allowed me to pursue my career, raise a family, and navigate challenges. This support, coupled with resilience, enabled me to achieve my goals and contribute meaningfully to science and society.
TDI: Considering the support you had, what values, skills, or habits should young people cultivate early on to transform themselves? Do you think growth requires a challenging environment, a supportive one, or a balance of both?
Both kinds of environments are needed. A challenging environment hones your skills, strengthens your fighting spirit, and teaches you how to adapt and survive. My life has been far from smooth. For example, I was building a lab to study plants, and one Monday morning I came back to find it had burnt down. For two years, I couldn’t really work, but I had to adapt and find another space to continue, as I was leading that regional project I mentioned.
Challenges like these teach you to stay focused on your goals. When you prioritize quality and excellence, it transcends gender, religion, or background. People recognize the work for its merit, and it gets published for that reason.
I also always tell children to know themselves through their history. Many people aren’t taught history, often by design. If you’re not anchored in your culture, values, and system, you won’t understand where you are and may repeat others’ mistakes. Learning from the past makes you stronger.
Be proud of who you are. The more you understand yourself, the better you can impart that pride and sense of identity to your children one day.
TDI: As the first female President of Mauritius, what was the biggest challenge you felt you needed to address immediately? And what support helped you navigate this role, knowing you were also a role model for women in Mauritius and beyond?
I think the biggest challenge in that position is acknowledging that you are a woman. That brings both advantages and disadvantages, but there are more challenges because women leaders often must go through the mill and bear the brunt of everything. In many ways, it’s like walking on eggs without breaking them.
Having said that, as a scientist, I was fortunate to shape my presidency through the lens of science. Two major milestones in 2015 helped guide me. The first was the endorsement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each of the 17 SDGs is a system in itself, with a strong scientific component that, if delivered on, can significantly improve society. The second was participating in the first successful COP21 in Paris, which allowed me to integrate climate action into my presidential agenda.
During my presidency, I consistently promoted science, women’s empowerment, and now, post-presidency, I focus on entrepreneurship. Looking at Africa, for example, by 2100, one in two working-age adults will be African. Governments alone cannot provide enough jobs, and with the rise of AI and its disruptive potential, we need to empower young people through quality education and support them in creating their own opportunities.
The beauty of entrepreneurship is that success does not depend on having a special name or fitting a certain mold. This is what I advocate now: fostering entrepreneurship grounded in science and technology. Disruptive technologies across Africa, for instance, have all been anchored in scientific innovation, showing that science remains central to creating meaningful change.
TDI: During your presidency, what initiatives did you take to support women scientists, particularly in STEM and AI? What challenges did you observe, and how did you encourage young women to pursue careers in science?
When I finished my year, I visited the career guidance officer. My father encouraged me to pursue whatever I wanted. The officer said chemistry was for boys and suggested home economics. I told my father, and he simply said I could do anything, so I chose chemistry.
I think this highlights the first major barrier: stereotyping. Beyond that, the environment in which a girl grows up whether in rural Pakistan, Africa, or elsewhere often lacks opportunity and infrastructure. For instance, girls may miss school during puberty, but providing proper infrastructure can empower them.
Role models also matter. Girls need to see examples of women succeeding so they can say, “Me too, I can do it.” Societies should create structures, challenge stereotypes, and foster confidence.
At the same time, societal perceptions can be harsh. Women pursuing careers are often labeled “selfish,” whereas men working late are praised. Once you are clear about your goals and have family support, you can stay focused.
Women often get stuck at middle management due to social pressures and family expectations. That’s why it’s important to assert your voice, especially in the global South, to highlight contributions in STEM and beyond.
TDI: Your voice has been influential in the global South, not just on women in STEM but on individual contributions across fields. What recommendations do you have for these countries to build infrastructure, challenge stereotypes, and empower young people as we approach the end of 2025?
We should be saying “the global majority” because we make up 88% of the world’s population. What should we do? We need to keep building institutions. People come and go; I’ve done my bit and now I’m out. What stays are institutions. Through strong institutions, we can drive lasting change in our region, and that change is already happening.
Unfortunately, global institutions have historically been skewed toward the global North for many reasons. Today, we are in a time of transition. I often think of Gramsci, who said the old world is dying, and the new one is struggling to be born. It is a time of challenges, yes, but the new world is emerging.
With greater access to education and awareness of history, pride is rising among young people. Through the gradual building of institutions, we can empower youth to take the best into their own hands and shape their futures.
TDI: How can experienced leaders mentor the next generation and create a legacy for both the young and the old?
Oh, definitely! The experienced, if they can mentor provided, they are good mentors themselves, play a crucial role. Regardless of whether their actions were good or bad, people can learn valuable lessons from their experiences. So yes, they should be there as mentors.
TDI: As a scientist, what initiatives and concerns do you have regarding climate change, particularly its disproportionate impact on women in countries like Mauritius, Bangladesh, and Pakistan?
You know, yes, we talk about the empowerment of women because if you don’t empower them, progress is limited. Look at countries like Pakistan or those in Africa women are the ones who feed their families, and agriculture in Africa, for example, is largely driven by women. If we empower these women with technology, education, access to land, and financial tools like loans and bank accounts, the world can transform. We have seen this in Bangladesh, where microcredit programs have significantly helped women. There are many such models that can be scaled. Ultimately, leadership must recognize that women make up 51–52% of the world’s population, and without their inclusion, real progress is impossible.
TDI: Excellency, could you share your current activities, especially those that might inspire young people?
I do a lot of advocacies, drawing from my background in science and entrepreneurship, as I see the potential in both fields. I am also working on creating my foundation to promote the girl child, especially in science, and to focus on sectors in Africa that need attention, such as agriculture not just for food security but for food sovereignty, ensuring we grow what we eat and eat what we grow. Additionally, I engage in public speaking, which involves frequent travel; I am here in Pakistan now, and last week I was in Africa, where I grew up.
TDI: And today you are here in Pakistan; please share with us what has brought you to Pakistan? so that our young people who are listening also know what made you come.
You know, during my academic days, I used to collaborate quite a bit with Karachi University and Karachi ICTBS. We had some good friends there, including Professor Chaudhary, who was a colleague at the time. I used to have mini exchanges with them and used their students for placements.
I participated in the conference, and this time I came because I had an open invitation from COPSEC YIC, which had been extended for a long time, and I finally managed to make it. I’m very happy to give a few lectures at the conference, and tomorrow we’re going to Lahore, where I’ll give another lecture. It’s also a chance to discover Pakistan, a beautiful country with wonderful people.
One lesson that leadership has taught me, which I’d like to share with young people listening, is this: in science, everything is black and white, but in leadership, it’s all grey. That’s a beautiful insight.
TDI: Which woman leader from history has inspired you the most?
I think the most recent one is Wangari Maathai, the very first African Woman Prize winner. Every time I go to Nairobi, I see what she has done with the forests she created and promoted. She was a remarkable African woman who faced many challenges, but she stuck to her principles and made history.
TDI: If you could give one message to the young women of the world today, what would it be?
“Never ever give up. And if you are down in the dumps, make sure that your recovery is easy.”
TDI: How do you view the cooperation between Pakistan and Mauritius? What areas would you suggest for deeper collaboration between our two countries?
Pakistan and Mauritius have been working together for a long time, and we have established diplomatic relations. I think Pakistan should use Mauritius for its strategic positioning, because of where we are located. I know Pakistan has ambitions for the emerging African continent. Pakistan is Asia, and Pakistan is also Central Asia. So, I think we can bring all these together the fusion of these two continents through Mauritius and use us as a platform to connect either way.
Established in December 2008, The Diplomatic Insight is Pakistan’s premier diplomacy and foreign affairs magazine, available in both digital and print formats.
