Dr. Sima Bahous Reappointed for Second Term as Executive Director of UN Women 11 September 2025
Dr. Sima Sami Bahous will serve a second term as United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, following her reappointment by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
“I am honoured to continue to serve as Executive Director and pledge my utmost efforts to UN Women delivering its crucial mandate for all women and girls everywhere,” Dr. Bahous said.
A seasoned diplomat from Jordan, Dr. Bahous has been a prominent voice for a stronger and more effective United Nations. Her first term was marked by putting gender equality at the center of intergovernmental discussions, improving transparency and efficiency, and ensuring women’s rights were prioritized in crisis response.
With UN Women’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 newly endorsed by the Executive Board, Dr. Bahous reaffirmed the central role of gender equality in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. She emphasized: “Equality must not wait. We know what happens when men and women share power, when they contribute equally to economies, and when women and girls are free from violence and conflict. Our collective future depends on it.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Bahous outlined her priorities: strengthening UN Women, sharpening its focus, and ensuring tangible results on the ground, especially in crisis contexts. She also pledged to deepen partnerships and support ongoing UN reforms to better serve women and girls worldwide.