Hoda El-Bakr Appointed Secretary-General of ACCD
Hoda El-Bakr Appointed Secretary-General of ACCD
Dr. Hassan El-Bilawi Named Advisor to the President of ACCD and Member of the Board of Trustees
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President of the Arab Council for Childhood and Development (ACCD), has appointed Ms. Hoda El-Bakr as Secretary-General of ACCD, effective 1 March 2026.
Ms. El-Bakr previously served as Deputy Secretary-General and assumes the role at a time when ACCD is expanding its strategic programs and strengthening its institutional capacity to address emerging challenges and opportunities affecting children and development across the Arab region.
A graduate of the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University, Ms. El-Bakr brings extensive experience in research, public policy, civil society engagement, and sustainable development. Throughout her career, she has worked with leading research and development institutions and has contributed to a wide range of studies and publications on development and public policy issues.
Prior to joining ACCD’s senior leadership team, she served as Executive Director of the Arab Network for NGOs (ANNGO), where she played a central role in expanding the organization’s regional presence and strategic partnerships. Under her leadership, ANNGO launched and advanced several pioneering initiatives, including the Arab Forum for Land and Climate, Green in Arabic—a specialized platform for environmental and climate journalism—the Arab Climate Adaptation Lab, the Arab Platform for Learning and Partnership Building, and the Arab Sustainable Development Blog.
Ms. El-Bakr has also been actively engaged in regional and international climate and development processes, participating in several sessions of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) as both a speaker and contributor to discussions on climate action, sustainable development, and regional policy priorities.
Her appointment reflects ACCD’s continued commitment to strengthening its institutional leadership and enhancing its role as a leading Arab center of expertise dedicated to advancing childhood and development issues.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal: A New Phase of Institutional Development and Strategic Growth
Commenting on the appointments, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud described the changes as an important milestone in ACCD’s ongoing development and a reflection of its commitment to building on decades of accumulated experience.
His Highness emphasized that ACCD will continue to strengthen its governance framework, enhance organizational effectiveness, and advance programs and initiatives that respond to the rapid social, digital, and environmental transformations shaping the region and the world.
His Highness reaffirmed the ACCD’s commitment to its development mission, stressing the importance of empowering Arab children, safeguarding their rights, and equipping future generations with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
He further noted that ACCD will continue to consolidate its position as a leading Arab institution and center of expertise in the fields of childhood and development.
Dr. Hassan El-Bilawi Appointed Advisor to the President and Member of the Board of Trustees
In a separate decision, HRH appointed Dr. Hassan El-Bilawi as Advisor to the President of ACCD and named him a member of the ACCD Board of Trustees.
The appointment recognizes Dr. El-Bilawi’s distinguished leadership and outstanding contributions during his tenure as Secretary-General, a position he held since 2009.
It also reflects ACCD’s desire to continue benefiting from his extensive expertise, strategic vision, and longstanding commitment to advancing childhood and development issues throughout the Arab region.
ACCD extends its deep appreciation to Dr. El-Bilawi for sixteen years of dedicated service, during which he played a pivotal role in modernizing ACCD’s strategic vision and strengthening its standing as a leading regional center of expertise.
During his tenure, he launched and oversaw numerous pioneering programs and initiatives focused on early childhood development, the protection and promotion of children’s rights, the enrichment of Arab children’s culture, and the improvement of educational quality. He also championed research, capacity-building, and knowledge production across the Arab world while expanding ACCD’s regional and international partnerships, significantly broadening its impact and ensuring the sustainability of its work.
Recognition of a Distinguished Career
The appointments were announced during ACCD’s annual Ramadan Iftar gathering, where Dr. El-Bilawi was honored by HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in recognition of his distinguished service and contributions to ACCD.
The ceremony also featured tributes from several partner institutions, including the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), the Arab Open University, ANNGO, the National Council for Family Affairs of Jordan, and Egypt’s Education Development Fund, in addition to a number of prominent public figures.
A documentary highlighting Dr. El-Bilawi’s academic and professional journey was presented during the event, which was attended by representatives of regional and international organizations, development experts, media professionals, and longstanding partners of ACCD.
Date: 27/2/2026
