Dr. Moez Doraid Appointed UN Women Regional Director for the Arab States

Cairo, 1 October 2025 – UN Women is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Moez Doraid (Egypt) as Regional Director for the Arab States, effective 1 October 2025, following his service as interim Regional Director since 1 July 2024.

In this capacity, Dr. Doraid will also serve as UN Women’s Representative to the League of Arab States, the Arab Women’s Organization, and the Women Development Organization of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). 

Dr. Doraid brings more than three decades of leadership across the UN system and international development institutions. He joined UNIFEM in 2006, as Deputy Executive Director for Operations and External Relation. At UN Women headquarters he held senior leadership roles since its establishment in 2011, including Director, Coordination Division then Director, Division of Management and Administration. 

Prior to this, Dr. Doraid served with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Kuwait and the Maldives, as well as in advisory and leadership roles in New York and Beirut. He also worked with the World Bank, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Bank of Credit and Commerce Misr in Cairo. 

Dr. Doraid holds a PhD in Social Sciences from the Lebanese University, a Master in Public Administration with a concentration in Development Economics from the Harvard Kennedy School, and a BA in Economics with honours from the American University in Cairo. 

In his career, he has consistently focused on supporting countries affected by crisis and post-conflict recovery, with experience spanning Syria, Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, and Mozambique. 

Speaking on his appointment, Dr. Doraid said: 

“It is an honour to serve as UN Women’s Regional Director for the Arab States at this critical moment. I look forward to working with governments, civil society, and the women of the region to advance women’s rights and empowerment across the region.” 

Highlighting the importance of collaboration, he added: 

“UN Women’s work in the Arab States is strengthened through close partnerships with governments, women-led groups and regional organizations. Together, we can drive progress that is inclusive, sustainable, and transformative.” 

Reflecting on the global and regional context, Dr. Doraid noted: 

“With only five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and as we mark 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action set the blueprint for women’s empowerment, the world faces a clear choice. We must decide whether to defend and advance women’s rights or allow poverty, conflict, climate shocks, and backlash to erode the hard-won gains of past decades.” 

At the same time, he pointed to encouraging signs of progress: 

“Across the Arab region, there are clear reasons for hope, both globally and regionally: more girls are completing their education, more women are entering the workforce, including those serving in public office, and more countries have adopted laws addressing domestic violence, resulting in lower rates of such violence. These are powerful reminders that progress is possible when we commit to it.” 

Looking to the future, he emphasized the urgency of supporting women and girls in the Arab region.  

“Women and girls across the Arab region face some of the world’s most complex challenges from conflict and displacement to economic exclusion and barriers to participation. Yet they continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and leadership. Our responsibility is to ensure their voices are heard, their rights protected, and their opportunities expanded.” 

In a more personal reflection, Dr. Doraid shared: 

“In assuming this position, I do so not only as a UN leader but also as a son of this region committed to championing women’s rights and their equal role in society. These are values I inherited from my grandmother, Tomador Sabry, who was among the pioneering women activists of the great 1919 revolution in Egypt. When I look back at her legacy and that of her colleagues, I feel a deep responsibility to continue their work and carry their vision forward for the women and girls of today across the Arab region.” 

UN Women looks forward to Dr. Doraid’s continued leadership in advancing the empowerment of women and girls across the Arab States region.