Dr. Afnan bint Abdullah Al-Shuaiby was appointed Director General of International Relations at the Ministry of Culture early this year.

Before her role at the ministry, Al-Shuaiby worked in business. She is a member of the board of directors of the London-based Arab International Women’s Forum.

Previously, Al-Shuaibi was the secretary-general and CEO of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) in London, where she was the first woman to assume this position. Al-Shuaibi served as CEO of the ABCC for 11 years, between 2007 and 2018.

Prior to this, she was an adviser to the president of the US-Saudi Arabian Business Council in Washington D.C. between 1998 and 2007.

Al-Shuaiby holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from King Saud University in Riyadh, a master’s degree in educational administration from the American University in Washington D.C., and a Ph.D. in leadership administration from George Washington University.

Recently, Al-Shuaiby met Dr. Khaled Manzlawi, deputy permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN, during her representation of the Saudi delegation participating in a meeting of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Manzlawi praised the efforts being exerted by the Ministry of Culture to highlight the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage and traditions. They reviewed the ministry’s vision and programs aimed at developing the Saudi cultural and heritage sector.