United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). Former Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation of Egypt and Former Minister of Tourism of Egypt. Former: Adviser to the Chief Economist, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington, DC. Specialized in central banking issues, including designing monetary policy frameworks, defining financial stability and macro-prudential tools, and led country mission teams on these issues. Has contributed chapters to the IMF's Advancing the Frontiers of Monetary Policy (2018). Former: Sub-Governor for Monetary Policy, Central Bank of Egypt (CBE); Senior Economist, IMF; Deputy Project Director, Institutional Reform and Informal Sector Center, University of Maryland; and Adjunct Professor of Economics, American University in Cairo. Former Member, Board, Arab Investment Bank. Former Member, Boards: Egyptian Stock Exchange; General Authority for Free Zones and Investment; and Arab International Bank. Member: Middle East Economic Association; Dean's Strategic Advisory Board, School of Business, American University in Cairo. Research Fellow, Economic Research Forum for Arab Countries, Iran and Turkey; Lecturer, Egyptian Banking Institute. Young Global Leader, World Economic Forum. Recipient of awards, including: African Renaissance Leadership Award (2025); Global Leadership Award, Institut Choiseul (2025); Africa Political Outlook Prize for Leadership, Governance & Impact (2025); Most Visionary and Outstanding Minister of International Cooperation in Africa, George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs and GE7 Initiative (2022); Economic Leaders for Tomorrow in Africa, Institut Choiseul (2014, 2015); International Visitor Leadership Program, Government of France (2013); Distinguished Alumni Award, School of Business, American University in Cairo (2013). Named among the top 50 most influential women in the Egyptian economy (2015, 2020) and among the most powerful women in Egypt's banking sector (2014). PhD and MA in Economics, University of Maryland, USA.
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As the world is transformed by seismic developments around technology, climate and the need for more inclusive economic and social systems, there is a real risk that many in the Middle Ea...
