Ghada Waly, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), has announced her resignation after a five-year tenure marked by institutional expansion, global engagement, and financial growth. Her decision, made public on May 31, was attributed to deeply personal and familial considerations.
In an emotional televised interview on Egypt’s ON TV, Waly stated that while she remains deeply committed to public service, the time had come to realign her priorities. “All my grandchildren were born while I was abroad,” she said. “It is now time to be with them—and to care for my father, who needs me at this stage of his life.”
Waly, an economist by training and a former Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity, was appointed to the UN’s Vienna-based offices in 2020. Her appointment marked a historic milestone: she became the first individual from Egypt—and from the Arab and African regions—to lead the UNODC, an organization central to the global fight against transnational crime, drug trafficking, terrorism, and corruption.
A Five-Year Strategy Fulfilled
Waly’s tenure was guided by a five-year strategic vision that concluded in 2025. Under her leadership, the UNODC experienced substantial institutional and financial growth. The agency’s operational budget nearly doubled, rising from $260 million to close to $500 million, while partnerships expanded to include 20 new countries.
“The strategy we set in motion in 2020 has now been fully implemented,” Waly noted. “We succeeded in scaling our funding and broadening our global footprint—despite the disruptions of the pandemic and geopolitical turbulence.”
Her office oversaw critical work on global anti-corruption frameworks, human trafficking interventions, and capacity-building programs in some of the world’s most fragile states. Waly’s tenure also coincided with intensified efforts to align the agency’s mandate with the broader UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in relation to justice, gender equality, and institutional resilience.
From Cairo to Vienna: A Trailblazing Tenure
Holding dual responsibilities as Executive Director of UNODC and Director-General of UNOV, Waly occupied one of the most demanding and high-profile roles within the UN system outside of New York. Her leadership came at a time when international cooperation on crime prevention and rule of law faced complex challenges—from cybercrime and illicit financial flows to narcotics control and human rights violations.
“This role has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” she said. “It allowed me to serve not just the international community, but also to represent Egypt, the Arab world, and Africa on a global stage.”
Personal Turning Point
Waly disclosed that her decision to step down had been under consideration for nearly a year and was made in full coordination with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who, she noted, “respected and supported” her reasons. Formal procedures to identify her successor are expected to commence shortly.
Her resignation was conveyed in a letter to UN staff and the 150 member states affiliated with the UNODC. According to Waly, the response was overwhelming. “The support I received after the announcement was deeply moving. While many expressed surprise, they understood the courage it takes to prioritize family after years of public service.”
Balancing Duty and Devotion
“Public service has defined my life. But there comes a moment when one must reflect on what truly matters—before time takes the opportunity away.”
With no public statements yet on her next steps, Waly has indicated that her immediate focus will be on family life and rest—though her future in public affairs remains an open question.
