Biography

Namira Salim born in Karachi, Pakistan is a Pakistani explorer and artist. She holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University and her personal efforts led to the diplomatic accreditation between Pakistan and Monaco in February 2009.

Profile

Belonging to a Pakistani family settled in Southern France Namira Salim is the first Pakistani to travel into space. She has officially been recognised as the ‘First Pakistani Astronaut’ by the government of Pakistan in 2006. In 2007, Namira served as Honorary Ambassador of Tourism for Pakistan, appointed by the Ministry of Tourism. She is the first Pakistani to have reached the North Pole in April 2007 and the South Pole in January 2008. She also holds the distinction of being the first Asian and first Pakistani to skydive over Mount Everest during the historic First Everest Skydives 2008. She is also a peace activist and was conferred with Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in 2011.

Honorary Diplomat, Namira Salim, Honorary Consul of Pakistan, HSH Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco and H.E. Mr. Michel Roger, former Prime Minister of Monaco at the inauguration of the First Consulate of Pakistan to the Principality of Monaco. March 2012.

Support for Virgin Galactic, despite the Virgin Galactic crash in November 2014, Namira Salim remained loyal to its spaceflight programme and was the only female Founder to appear live from Monaco during global interviews with top British broadcast and print media.

Non-Profit Initiative, Namira Salim is the Founder of SpaceTrust, a non-profit initiative that promotes Space as the New Frontier for Peace via novel peace theme initiatives to inspire change, encourage dialogue and enrich education. Its inaugural event, an interactive exhibition and conference was held in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco on 29 November 2015, a high profile initiative, for which Namira secured official partnerships with State Space Corporation – ROSCOSMOS, the Russian Space agency, SUPARCO, the National Space Agency of Pakistan and other leading establishments affiliated to the Princely Government.

Exhibitions & Documentary, Namira’s art has come to voice global issues at top UN and UNESCO summits, in addition to her events and exhibits under the Patronage of Royalty from Monaco and the UAE. In May 2002, she held a solo exhibit “Peace Making with Nation Souls” which was an official supporting event to the UN General Assembly Special Session for Children. In October 2000, she exhibited solo at UNESCO’s Executive Board under the theme Peace & Soul. In September 2000, Namira held a solo exhibition “Purely A Soul Affair” and in May 2011 a documentary launch, “Beyond the Poles” in Dubai, under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman Emirates Airline & Group for the inspiration of youth. The documentary, filmed and directed by Namira, captured her journey to the three poles and milestone events with Sir Branson and Virgin Galactic since 2006. It premiered in Pakistan at the largest Airforce Academy in Risalpur in May 2011, upon the personal invitation of Chief of Air Staff and in France during the OIC Day at UNESCO in September 2011.

Awards, through all her art exhibits and polar expeditions, Namira Salim has been honored for avidly promoting Peace and goodwill. On 23 March 2011, President of Pakistan conferred Namira with one of the country’s highest civil decoration Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence). She was awarded the Power 100 Trailblazer Award by Pakistan Power 100, in London in September 2013 for her efforts to promote international peace and harmony. Namira Salim also had the distinction of being placed on the Pakistan Power 100’s “Women Power 100” .