Egyptian economist Rania Al-Mashat has been selected as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, following an official announcement by Secretary-General António Guterres.
With a career spanning more than 25 years, Al-Mashat has built extensive expertise in macroeconomic policy, central banking, and global development. From 2018 to 2026, she held a series of senior cabinet positions in Egypt, overseeing key portfolios including tourism, international cooperation, and planning and economic development. During this period, she made history as the country’s first female minister of tourism.
Before joining government, Al-Mashat served as Sub-Governor for Monetary Policy at the Central Bank of Egypt. She also gained international experience as an adviser to the chief economist at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, contributing to global economic analysis and policy discussions.
Headquartered in Beirut, ESCWA is one of five regional commissions under the United Nations, supporting 21 countries across the Middle East and North Africa. Its work focuses on advancing economic integration, enhancing policy coordination, and promoting sustainable development throughout the region.
Al-Mashat’s academic background includes a PhD and MA in economics from the University of Maryland, College Park and a BA in economics from the American University in Cairo. She has also completed executive education programs in leadership and public policy at both Harvard University and University of Oxford, further strengthening her profile as a global economic policymaker.
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