Kurdistan Chronicle hosted a photography exhibition titled Life Through a Diplomat’s Lens from December 3 to December 5, showcasing a selection of images captured by former Iraqi Ambassador Burhan Jaf.

The exhibition highlights his experience of the cultures and landscapes in the countries he served, including photographs from Greece, the Netherlands, and Kenya.

Jaf previously served as Iraq’s Permanent Representative to the UN Environmental Program and UN-Habitat, as well as an Ambassador to Kenya covering Easter Africa. He was also Iraq’s Ambassador to Greece, with concurrent accreditation to Albania and Cyprus, from 2010 to 2016. 

Additionally, Jaf held the position of Head of Mission for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to the EU in Brussels from 1998 to 2009.

“I wanted to show what diplomats can do besides formal representation of your country and consular works,” Jaf told Kurdistan Chronicle.

Photography became a means for him to document, reflect on, and connect with the world around him. He organized photography exhibitions in Athens, the National Museum of Kenya, and the UN Headquarters in Nairobi.

Jaff said he did not start with photography. “Photography wasn’t my first choice when I was in Greece. It started as a marathon for the charity.”

“There is a lot of activity in Greece, it’s a very cultural country and is beautiful and there are a lot of similarities with Kurdistan in its general nature and even the cultural clothes.”

“Photography is a good tool to bring people together. This is something you can share with other people,” he said.

“One thing I tried to show was the importance of recording something meaningful – something you can share with the younger generation. Your job as a diplomat or ambassador is not just about fancy roles or protocol; there are other, deeper responsibilities you must highlight,” he explained.

“Photography is a tool to bring people together and to share experiences with others. That’s why I started this movement among ambassadors and diplomats,” he added.

“When I was in Nairobi, I brought this idea with me and implemented it in Kenya. We also extended it to the UN. At the time, the purpose was to raise funds for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working with youth and those in need. For example, in Greece, we raised €18,000 by organising a 10k run around the Acropolis called ‘From Acropolis to Babylon’.” 

“In Nairobi and at the UN, we managed to raise nearly $40,000. These funds mean a lot to NGOs – they help keep them going, build clinics, and support important initiatives,” he said.