Hon'ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Hasan Mahmud comes from a distinguished Muslim family in Chittagong.

Dr Hasan Mahmud was born in Chittagong in 1963. His father Advocate Mohammed Nurussafa Talukdar is a renowned lawyer of Chittagong and a former Public Prosecutor of Greater Chittagong and Chittagong Hill districts, and also the former President of the Chittagong District Lawyers' Association. Dr. Mahmud's mother Kamrun Nahar Begum is also a renowned lawyer and a human rights activist from Chittagong. She is the President of the Human Rights Association, Chittagong Chapter.

After completing his undergraduate (1988) and graduate (1989) programmes (with honours citation) in Chemistry from Chittagong University, Dr. Hasan Mahmud obtained a post-graduate Diploma in Human Ecology (Environmental Sciences) from Vrije Unversity of Brussels in 1993. Widening focus, Dr. Mahmud obtained his Second Masters in International Politics from Universite Libre des Bruxelles in 1996. In the same year, he obtained his Third Masters in Advanced Studies in Human Ecology (Environmental Science) from Vrije University of Brussels. Dr. Hasan Mahmud obtained an International Certificate in Human Ecology from the International Association of Human Ecology, Geneva, in 1996.

Dr. Mahmud completed his Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry from Limburg University Centrum, Belgium, in 2001.

Dr. Hasan Mahmud speaks French and Dutch. He completed a Diploma in French Language (two years' course) from the University of Chittagong in 1985, and a certificate course in Dutch Language from Limburg University Centrum, Belgium.

Dr. Mahmud attended a number of learned international conferences across the world in areas such as ecology, environment, environmental analytical chemistry, Arsenic contamination, environmental law, nutrition and food security, human rights, information technology. A widely traveled person, Dr. Mahmud has visited well-over fifty countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

By profession, Dr. Mahmud used to be an Adjacent Faculty member of a few reputed Universities of significance in both South Asia and Europe including East West University (teaching Environmental Science and Bangladesh Studies), Peoples University of Bangladesh (teaching Environmental Science and Socioeconomic Studies of Bangladesh), European Institute for Strategic Studies, Brussels, Belgium (Visiting Lecturer on Bangladesh and South Asian politics). Side by side with teaching, Dr. Mahmud is also engaged in the container service sector.

Dr. Hasan Mahmud has a long tenure of political legacy to his credit. He first came to limelight as the General Secretary of the Government Intermediate College Chattra League in 1979. He was the founder General Secretary of the Government Mohosin College Chattra League in 1980, was the Education and Cultural Affairs Secretary of Chittagong City Chattra League in 1982, and later, the Senior Vice President of Chittagong University Chattra League in 1986. Dr. Mahmud became the President of Chittagong University Chattra League in 1989, and during the first major democratic transition of the country, Dr. Mahmud was elected as the Chairman of All Party Alliance Election Conducting Committee in 'Chaksu' Election 1990.

Dr. Mahmud has been a member of Chittagong North District Awami League since 1992. Abroad, he held the post of the Senior Vice-President of Belgium Awami League in 1993 and became the General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League, Belgium Unit, for the tenure 1995 to 2001. He was elected President of Bangladesh Students Association of Vrije University of Brussels (VUB) during the 1993-94 Session. Dr. Mahmud was elected President of the "International Students Association" of Vrije University of Brussels (VUB) during the 1994 - 95 Session. It may be mentioned that this was the only organization of VUB recognized by the university to represent more than twelve hundred foreign students from more than 60 countries of the world.

Dr. Mahmud was appointed Special Assistant to the-then Hon'ble Leader of the opposition and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on 01 November 2001. At the same time, he became the Forest and Environment Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League central committee since December 2002.

As Special Assistant to Hon'ble Sheikh Hasina, Dr. Mahmud worked on foreign affairs and human rights. His responsibilities included, amongst others, representing Her and Bangladesh Awami League in major international conferences, symposia, and seminars, maintenance of foreign liaison and all official foreign correspondence on behalf of the leader and the party.

Dr. Hasan Mahmud is an avid debater and an eloquent reciter. He was the Team Leader of the Government Muslim High School (Chittagong, Bangladesh) Junior Debate Team in 1975, and also its Scout Team Leader in 1977. As Team Leader, he represented the Suhrawardi Hall of Chittagong University Debate Team in the National TV debate in 1987. Dr. Hasan Mahmud used to be associated with a leading Group Theatre of the Country, Teerjak, during his university days. He loves hockey - both for its calibrated speed and its mass appeal.

A passionate humanitarian, Dr. Mahmud worked for the Junior Read Cross during his school days. Dr. Mahmud is also a member of Green Peace International, Netherlands.