Egypt's Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali has been chosen to become the new director-general of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and the executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

"Minister Wali has the experience and efficiency qualifying her for this important position, which will serve the best interest of member countries and achieve the office's goals in facing the challenges resulting from organised crime and the spread of drugs and addiction," the ministry said.

The ministry also expressed its appreciation for UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ efforts to support international peace, security and sustainable development.

"Egypt fully supports these efforts and provides all it can to achieve these joint goals," the statement said.

Ghada Wali to leave cabinet in expected reshuffle

The statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry confirms reports that the social solidarity minister will be part of an expected ministerial reshuffle.

Wali has served as the minister of social solidarity in Egypt since 2014, holding the position under former prime ministers Ibrahim Mehlab and Sherif Ismail, as well as the current Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.  

During Wali’s tenure, the ministry launched a public awareness campaign against drug use in Egypt, choosing football star Mohamed Salah as the face of the campaign in TV and online advertisements. The campaign has been huge success, according to Wali.  

Wali, who was born in 1966, received her BA from the College of Languages and Literature at Colorado State University, USA in 1987, and her M.A. in Humanities from the same university in 1990.