AISSATA M B CAMARA

An African immigrant who survived violence, serves New York City on the world stage

Aissata M B Camara was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs in Augsut 2025

August 2025: The New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs is, for the first time, led by an African woman. As the department’s new Commissioner, Aissata M B Camara acts quasi as the city’s foreign minister. Her main role is to work with the city’s diplomatic community and the United Nations and foster good relations with other world cities.

As an African and a Muslim woman who survived gender-based violence, Aissata Camara’s journey from Guinea, West Africa, to her current role in New York City is a testament to the power of her resilience and determination. She said she was able to succeed in the enabling environment of New York City, because it is a city which provides opportunities and resources to people from all backgrounds.

Until July 2025, Aissata Camara was Deputy Commissioner of the office she is now leading. With some pride, she described the almost ten years in that role as a period during which New York had strengthened its position as the most international city in the world. “NYC stands as a beacon for people from every corner of the world.” As department head Aissata Camara will continue to build bridges and foster international collaboration. Already well known in New York’s international community, Camara will now introduce her vision of working with other world cities to her peers in Tokyo, Paris, London and beyond.

Camara holds a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs and social policy from Baruch College and a Master of Public Administration in international public and non-profit management and policy from New York University Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

A Fulbright specialist and a frequent speaker and moderator at international forums, including the United Nations, Camara speaks on subnational diplomacy, gender equity, and inclusive economic growth. Having earned global recognition, her past honours include being inducted into the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Hall of Fame and under-40 list and being a recipient of the 2023 Bernard M. Baruch College Alumni Changemaker award. She also received the Jo Ivey Boufford Award for Public Service Innovation and was recognised as a Thomson Reuters Trust Conference Changemaker.

Emilia Saiz, secretary general, of the Barcelona-based organisation United Cities and Local Governments, said of Camara’s appointment, “I warmly celebrate the appointment of Aissata M.B. Camara, whose leadership reflects passion, purpose, and determination to build a more just, sustainable, and equitable world — a future where women and girls are empowered, and cities work together to drive global progress.”

People: Ardem Patapoutian, Nobel Prize winner || Aissata M B Camara, NYC Commissioner || Ryyan Alshebl, German Mayor || Yusuke Nakano, Mayor of Hamamatsu, Japan || French immigrant writers Mamadou Sow and Azuz Begag || Paris's last newspaper haker ||

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