H.E. Counsellor Sarah Ismail AlShoura
Her Excellency Counsellor Sarah Ismail AlShoura is the Executive Director of the Women Development Organization (WDO) in the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
A distinguished diplomat with over two decades of experience in multilateral diplomacy and international cooperation, H.E. Sarah AlShoura has built a career defined by strategic engagement across key global platforms, advancing international partnerships and contributing to policy dialogue on development and global governance.
Prior to assuming her current role, H.E. Counsellor Sarah AlShoura served as Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations and International Organizations in Vienna, where she headed the United Nations Organizations Department, overseeing engagement with major international entities and multilateral frameworks.
She previously held senior diplomatic positions at the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the United Kingdom, including Deputy Head of Mission, and led political and multilateral portfolios central to advancing the Kingdom’s strategic partnerships.
Her earlier assignments within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and at the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations in Geneva further reflect her extensive experience in multilateral engagement, including work across key international organizations and global policy frameworks.
In addition to her diplomatic service, H.E. Sarah AlShoura has contributed to international development efforts through her work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Saudi Arabia, supporting programmes focused on women’s empowerment, poverty reduction, and sustainable development.
H.E. Sarah AlShoura holds a Master of Public Health in Global Health Promotion and Planning from George Washington University, and a Master of Science in Health Fitness Management from the American University in Washington, DC.
Throughout her career, H.E. Counsellor Sarah AlShoura has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing multilateral cooperation and inclusive development. As Executive Director of WDO, she leads the organization’s efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships, promote evidence-based policy dialogue, and advance women’s empowerment across the OIC region.
