Arab League Appoints New Assistant Secretaries-General to Strengthen Secretariat

On 7 September 2026, the foreign ministers of the Arab League’s 22 member states approved a slate of appointments and renewals for assistant secretary‑general positions in the League’s General Secretariat. The decisions were taken during the 166th session of the Council of the League of Arab States, held in Cairo at the ministerial level.

The new appointments include Ambassador Sherif Kamel, Egypt’s nominee; Ambassador Badr Al‑Din Ali Mohammed Al‑Jaifari, Sudan’s nominee; and Sheikh Mohammed bin Daeij Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s nominee. Each will serve a five‑year term. The renewals extend the terms of Ambassador Hussein Al‑Hindawi, Iraq’s assistant secretary‑general, and Ambassador Mohand Laajouzi, Algeria’s assistant secretary‑general, for a second five‑year period.

The assistant secretary‑general posts are key to the day‑to‑day functioning of the Secretariat. They oversee specific departments, coordinate policy implementation, and support the Secretary‑General in managing the League’s administrative and diplomatic activities. By filling these positions, the Council aims to complete the Secretariat’s structure and enhance its capacity to respond to regional challenges.

The appointments were approved by the foreign ministers in a unanimous vote. According to the Arab League’s official statement, the decisions are part of an effort to strengthen the Secretariat’s work during the next phase of the League’s operations.

The Arab League, founded in 1945 in Cairo, serves as a forum for political, economic, cultural, and social cooperation among its member states. Its Secretariat, headquartered in Cairo, is headed by the Secretary‑General and supported by a network of assistant secretary‑generals who manage the League’s various functional areas.

The 166th session of the Council, which convened on 7 September, followed a preparatory meeting held in Cairo the previous day. The session was attended by permanent representatives from all member states, with the foreign ministers of Egypt, Sudan, Bahrain, Iraq, and Algeria present to sign off on the appointments.

The new appointments and renewals are expected to improve coordination across the Secretariat’s departments, streamline decision‑making, and reinforce the League’s ability to address pressing regional issues such as economic integration, security cooperation, and humanitarian assistance.

The League’s Council has historically used such appointments to signal its commitment to institutional strengthening. The current slate reflects a continued focus on building a robust administrative framework that can support the League’s broader diplomatic agenda.

The appointments will take effect immediately, and the new assistant secretary‑generals will begin their duties in the coming weeks. The League’s Secretariat will continue to monitor the implementation of its strategic priorities while preparing for the next round of ministerial meetings.

The decisions underscore the League’s ongoing efforts to maintain relevance in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment. By reinforcing its Secretariat, the Arab League aims to provide a more effective platform for dialogue and cooperation among its member states.

The appointments also signal a broader trend of institutional renewal within the League, as member states seek to modernize their diplomatic machinery and enhance collective action on regional challenges.

The Arab League’s Council will likely review the performance of the new assistant secretary‑generals in the coming months, ensuring that the Secretariat’s expanded structure delivers on its mandate to promote Arab unity and cooperation.

The appointments are part of the League’s broader strategy to strengthen its administrative capacity and support its mission of fostering collaboration among Arab states.

The new assistant secretary‑generals will work closely with the Secretary‑General and other senior officials to advance the League’s agenda across political, economic, and social domains.

The decisions were announced by the League’s official website and confirmed by the foreign ministries of the respective member states.

The appointments reflect the League’s commitment to institutional continuity and effective governance.

The Arab League’s Secretariat will continue to play a central role in coordinating the League’s activities and supporting its member states in addressing shared challenges.

The appointments are expected to enhance the Secretariat’s ability to respond to emerging regional issues and support the League’s diplomatic initiatives.

The League’s Council will monitor the implementation of the new appointments as part of its ongoing institutional development.

The appointments are a key step in the League’s efforts to strengthen its administrative framework and support its mission of promoting Arab cooperation.

The new assistant secretary‑generals will begin their work in the coming weeks, as the League moves forward with its agenda for the next phase.

The appointments are part of the League’s broader strategy to strengthen its Secretariat and support its mission of fostering cooperation among Arab states.

The League’s Council will continue to monitor the performance of the new assistant secretary‑generals as part of its ongoing institutional development.

The appointments are a significant development in the Arab League’s efforts to strengthen its administrative capacity and support its mission of promoting Arab unity and cooperation.