Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy has been approved as the next secretary-general of the Arab League, with his five-year term set to begin on July 1, 2026.

Axar.az reports, citing Arab News, the decision was taken during the 165th ministerial session of the Arab League, held via video conference under the chairmanship of Bahrain, and now awaits formal endorsement at an upcoming Arab Summit in Saudi Arabia.

Fahmy, Egypt’s nominee and the sole candidate for the post, succeeds Ahmed Aboul Gheit, whose second term ends on June 30.

Widely regarded as one of Egypt’s most prominent diplomats, Fahmy previously served as ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2008 and as foreign minister from 2013 to 2014. He also founded the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the American University in Cairo and has contributed extensively to international relations scholarship.

The appointment follows long-standing protocol in which Egypt, as host of the Arab League headquarters, traditionally nominates the secretary-general.