Egypt’s Yasmine Fouad Named New UN Desertification Chief
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Roshan Amiri
- . May 30, 2025
- . Update: May 30, 2025 6:39 pm
The United Nations has appointed Egypt’s Environment Minister, Yasmine Fouad, as the Executive Secretary for the UNCCD, sealing a metamorphic leadership change for the global anti-desertification body. With an extensive background in environmental diplomacy and international climate negotiations, Fouad has assumed the office of Egypt’s Environment Minister since 2018. Her appointment has been ratified after consultations between the United Nations Secretary-General and the UNCCD Conference of Parties Bureau.
Extensive Environmental Background
The newly appointed executive is one with a wealth of experience over about two decades in environmental governance and sustainable development policy. In reality, she holds a Ph.D. in Euro-Mediterranean Studies from Cairo University and an MA in Environmental Science from Ain Shams University. Having served as Environment Chief of Egypt, she has supervised some institutional reforms as well as sustainable development projects. She stands as a vibrant figure in international environmental diplomacy, being fully bilingual in English and Arabic.
Leadership Transition
Current incumbent of UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw, from Mauritania, welcomed the appointment with praise for Fouad’s environmental commitment and expressed confidence that she is up to the challenge of heading the Secretariat. He will be stepping down from the position after serving his terms. Fouad is the fifth person to hold the position since its inception, following five executive secretaries from Mauritania, France, Benin, and Burkina Faso. The appointee will begin a three-year term in late 2025.
