Cairo (UNA) – Advisor Sarah bint Ismail Al-Shura assumed her duties as Executive Director of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Women’s Development Organization, effective May 17, 2026, succeeding Dr. Afnan Al-Shuaibi.
Advisor Sarah Al-Shoura has more than two decades of experience in multilateral diplomacy and international cooperation, and a career full of achievements, characterized by strategic participation in the most prominent international platforms, strengthening international partnerships, and contributing to dialogues and policies related to development and global governance.
Al-Shura holds a Master of Public Health degree specializing in Global Health Promotion and Health Planning from George Washington University, and a Master of Fitness and Health Management degree from American University in Washington.
She previously served as an advisor at the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations and International Organizations in Vienna, where she headed the United Nations Organizations Department and oversaw cooperation and coordination files with major international bodies and multilateral frameworks.
She also held senior diplomatic positions at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in the United Kingdom, including the position of Deputy Head of Mission.
Her previous roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and at the Kingdom’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, reflect her extensive experience in multilateral work.
In addition to her diplomatic career, Her Excellency the Advisor contributed to international development efforts through her work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where she supported programs concerned with women's empowerment, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.
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