Egypt's Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad. Photo courtesy of the ministry.
Fouad will be the fifth UNCCD Executive Secretary, succeeding Mauritania's Ibrahim Thiaw.
As Egypt's environment minister since 2018, Fouad has over 25 years of expertise in environmental governance, global environmental issues, and climate diplomacy.
She has led significant institutional and policy reforms for sustainable development.
Fouad holds a Ph.D. in Euro-Mediterranean Studies from Cairo University and an M.Sc. in Environmental Science from Ain Shams University.
In a statement, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly affirmed that Fouad's appointment reflects global confidence in Egyptian expertise to support the UN efforts in addressing environmental challenges.
He stated that this selection proves the outstanding performance of Egypt's female ministers in managing various portfolios and achieving globally recognised successes. It also highlights the continued active role of Egyptian women as key partners in nation-building and progress.
Furthermore, the Egyptian foreign ministry welcomed the UN chief's announcement, which reflects the leading and pivotal role that Egypt has played in recent years in environmental diplomacy and international development.
"This role was exemplified by Egypt's presidency of COP27, which served as a unique model of responsible leadership striving to balance economic development with environmental preservation to ensure a safe and sustainable future," the ministry said.
In addition, continued the ministry, the announcement also underscores the strong confidence in Fouad's competence and extensive experience in tackling global environmental challenges and supporting international efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) amid escalating global environmental crises.
"Fouad's appointment to this high-level UN position highlights Africa's voice globally, significantly contributing to advancing the sustainable development agenda and addressing issues related to climate change adaptation and water and energy security," the Egyptian foreign ministry said.
The UNCCD is a global treaty established in 1994 to combat desertification and mitigate drought effects, especially in Africa. It promotes sustainable land management to restore degraded land, ensure food security, and support communities.
Headquartered in Bonn, Germany, the UNCCD aligns with global efforts toward achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by 2030.
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