Secretary-General Appoints Yasmine Fouad of Egypt as Executive
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Yasmine Fouad of Egypt as the new Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This decision follows consultations with the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD. Fouad will take over from Ibrahim Thiaw of Mauritania, who has been recognized for his dedicated service to the organization.
Yasmine Fouad’s Background and Experience
Yasmine Fouad has served as Egypt’s Minister for Environment since 2018. With over 25 years of experience in environmental governance and international climate diplomacy, she is well-equipped for her new role. Her expertise includes designing and implementing reforms aimed at sustainable development. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental issues on both national and global stages.
Fouad has played significant roles in various multilateral environmental processes. Notably, she served as the President of the fourteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP14) from 2018 to 2021. Additionally, she acted as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP27 Envoy from 2021 to 2022. During her tenure, she co-led efforts to draft the Global Biodiversity Framework 2030 and advanced initiatives related to adaptation, food security, and nature-based solutions at COP27.
Contributions to Regional and Global Initiatives
In her regional capacity, Fouad has been active in the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change and the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment from 2015 to 2017. As Assistant Minister for Environment for Sustainable Development, she played a crucial role in the technical preparation of the African Adaptation Initiative and the African Renewable Energy Initiative. Furthermore, she co-chaired the steering committee for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Regional Flagship Programmes, focusing on sustainable land management and biodiversity.
Fouad’s influence extends beyond Africa. As a visiting scholar at Columbia University, she contributed to the Earth Institute, where she helped design a Centre of Excellence for Climate Change Adaptation in Egypt. Her academic credentials include a PhD in Euro-Mediterranean studies from Cairo University and a Master’s degree in environmental science from Ain Shams University. She is fluent in both English and Arabic, enhancing her ability to engage in international dialogues.
Looking Ahead
As Yasmine Fouad steps into her new role as Executive Secretary of UNCCD, she brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to environmental issues. Her leadership is expected to guide the UNCCD in addressing global challenges related to desertification and sustainable land management. The international community looks forward to her contributions in fostering collaboration and advancing initiatives that promote environmental sustainability.
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