In a unanimous decision on Sunday, Arab foreign ministers nominated Egyptian diplomat Nabil Fahmy to serve as the secretary-general of the Arab League. Fahmy will succeed Ahmed Aboul Gheit, whose current term concludes in June 2026. The appointment was made during a video conference session.
the Arab League charter, the secretary-general must be appointed by at least a two-thirds majority vote. Although the charter does not mandate a specific nationality for the role, the position has traditionally been held by an Egyptian, with the exception of Tunisian Chedli Klibi, who served from 1979 to 1990. This tradition reflects Egypt’s status as the host country of the organization’s headquarters.
Nabil Fahmy previously served as Egypt’s foreign minister from June 2013 to July 2014. His diplomatic career also includes tenures as Egypt’s ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2008 and to Japan between 1997 and 1999. Fahmy is the son of Ismail Fahmy, who was Egypt’s foreign minister under President Anwar Sadat from 1973 until his resignation in 1977, protesting Sadat’s historic visit to Jerusalem.
Established in 1945, the Arab League unites 22 member states with the aim of coordinating political, economic, and cultural policies throughout the Arab region. Fahmy’s appointment marks a continuation of Egypt’s influential role within the organization.
