Cairo: Egypt has been elected to head the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for a three-year term starting in 2026, marking a milestone for the country’s global standing in quality and standardization fields. Khaled Soufi, chairman of the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality (EOS), will assume the presidency, becoming the first Arab and only the second African to lead the body since its founding in 1947.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Egypt secured the position after winning support from 63 member states, surpassing Argentina’s 49 votes, in what officials described as a vote of confidence in Egypt’s technical expertise and leadership in international quality management. Soufi stated that the win aligns with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives to improve quality of life and strengthen Egypt’s role in global institutions. He added that it also reflects Industry Minister Kamel El-Wazir’s efforts to empower Egyptian professionals in international arenas.

Soufi emphasized that Cairo’s success demonstrates growing international trust in Egypt’s capacity to contribute to the development of quality infrastructure regionally and globally. He added that Egypt’s presidency will focus on deepening ISO’s cooperation with member countries to keep pace with digital transformation and the green economy, supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Egypt’s Vision 2030 strategy.