UN Alliance of Civilisations appoints Nihal Saad as director

Egyptian Nihal Saad was appointed director of the UN Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), according to Under-Secretary-General and High-Representative for the UNAOC Miguel Ángel Moratinos on Tuesday.

Moratinos said “Ms. Saad brings a wealth of knowledge and a track-record of experience in the area of interreligious and intercultural dialogue and interfaith-related issues across the faith and cultural spectrum, conflict prevention and conflict resolution,”

He also said that Saad is the perfect candidate for the leadership role as a result of her “unwavering commitment to the principles and values that underpin the work the organisation”

Saad contributed in global counter-terrorism strategies as well as in fighting racism and discrimination based on religious beliefs including Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and Christianophobia.

“I have full confidence in her ability to lead the organisation considering the broader responsibilities and mandate of her new position.” Said Moratinos.

Saad served as the spokesperson for the 66th president of the UN General Assembly. She was also head of the Press & Information Bureau at the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the UN, and head of the Organising Committee of UNAOC Forums.

She has over 22 years of experience in fields such as journalism, politics, as well as being a host on Egyptian TV.

Saad holds a master’s degree in TV journalism from the American University in Cairo (AUC) as well as a diploma in linguistics from Ain Shams University in Cairo.