Egyptian economist and former government minister Dr. Rania Al‑Mashat has been appointed as a United Nations Under‑Secretary‑General and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) — one of the United Nations’ key regional economic bodies.
The appointment was announced by UN Secretary‑General António Guterres, who highlighted Al‑Mashat’s extensive international experience in economic policy, development finance, and multilateral cooperation.
ESCWA, headquartered in Beirut and composed of 21 member states across the Middle East and North Africa, focuses on supporting regional economic integration, sustainable development, and social progress through policy research, technical assistance, and cooperation frameworks.
Dr. Al‑Mashat brings more than 25 years of expertise spanning macroeconomic policy, central banking, sustainable development, and climate finance. Prior to her new UN role, she held several high‑level positions in Egypt’s government from 2018 to 2026, including serving as Minister of Tourism — becoming the first woman to hold the post — Minister of International Cooperation, and Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation.
Before her ministerial career, Al‑Mashat served as Sub‑Governor for Monetary Policy at the Central Bank of Egypt and worked at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C., including roles as Senior Economist and advisor to the IMF’s chief economist.
Her appointment marks another milestone for Egyptian leadership on the global stage, positioning her at the helm of a major UN commission during a period of economic and social challenges that demand deeper regional cooperation and effective policy responses.
