International Affairs Team

Rana Abbasova is the Director of Protocol in the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs. In this capacity, she works to foster closer relationships between the City of New York and the broader diplomatic community. She manages engagements with foreign dignitaries and entities related to the Mayor and the Commissioner. Rana advises and assists the Mayor, Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, relevant NYC colleagues, and the public on diplomatic protocol and etiquette matters. She supports the Office in carrying out responsibilities ranging from vetting foreign delegations, organizing meetings with foreign delegations for the Mayor and Commissioner, and creating events for foreign dignitaries through the Office’s portfolios.

Before her current role, she served as a Community Coordinator and Advisor in the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President. She was responsible for international relations and maintaining relationships between the Borough President and stakeholders, including the Middle East and Central Asian countries, Muslim and Russian-speaking communities, and Non-profit organizations. She also worked with Embassies and Consulates to build relationships between countries and the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President to help overcome language barriers and cultural differences. She also organized Turkic Heritage events and assisted with Sister Cities agreements. Rana was also the administrative assistant for the One Brooklyn Fund, Inc.

Rana currently resides in Brooklyn with her family.