Nihal Saad, Appointed Director Of UN Alliance Of Civilisations

The Egyptian journalist, academic and change-maker Nihal Saad has been announced the new director of the UNAOC, the UN Alliance of Civilisations. This was announced by the UNAOC’s High Representative, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, after a highly competitive and rigorous recruitment process that lasted over a year.

Saad is well-celebrated for her wealth of experience and knowledge in interreligious and intercultural dialogue, conflict prevention, and resolution, lending her the acumen and insight needed to take on the UNAOC’s leadership role. Her work on global counter-terrorism strategies, combatting racism and discrimination based on religion or belief, including Islamophobia, antisemitism, and Christianophobia, has been highly recognized.

“Her unwavering commitment to the principles and values that underpin the work the organisation makes her the perfect choice for this new leadership role,” Moratinos tells #CairoScene. With over 22 years of journalism experience, including as a senior political correspondent and TV host in Egypt, Saad holds a master's degree in TV journalism from the American University in Cairo and a diploma in linguistics from Ain Shams University in Cairo.

Saad’s unparalleled communications skills and institutional memory were strong enough to sway the decision, Moritanos continued. Before taking up this position, Saad served as the spokesperson for the 66th president of the UN General Assembly as well as the head of the Press & Information Bureau at the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the UN. She has also moderated panel discussions in international and regional meetings and appeared as a commentator on foreign affairs on TV shows.