In memory of Dalia Aboulfotuh

It has been a month since the tragic and sudden passing of our dear colleague and friend, Dalia Abulfotuh. The loss still feels unreal. 

Every now and then, we still receive invitations to meetings she had set as recurring. When they appear, we experience a moment of disorientation—then reality sets in, and we are reminded once again of her absence. Moving forward is not easy, but the strength of our faith and the solidarity we hold as teammates help us navigate this difficult path. 

We always looked forward to our meetings with Dalia. She led them with remarkable skill, demonstrating deep competence and a consistently solution-oriented approach. Dalia had a unique ability to make everyone feel at ease—bridging differences, embracing challenges with enthusiasm, and fostering a genuine sense of joy in teamwork. 

Her leadership was quietly powerful and widely recognized. Despite her young age, she stood out for her gentle demeanor, her attentive listening, and her deep understanding of others. Dalia inspired confidence and collaboration, and her presence enriched every space she was part of.  

Dalia was an Economist at FAO who dedicated her career to advancing rural development and inclusive transformation across the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. Her commitment to youth empowerment was truly unmatched. For Dalia, youth inclusion, employment, entrepreneurship were not just areas of work—they were causes she deeply believed in and lived by. She embodied the very values she championed: a genuine role model for Arab youth, and a young woman leader whose authenticity, integrity, and professionalism left a lasting impression.  

On 25 August 2025, Dalia was appointed Executive Secretary of the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS) during the 2nd AFRAS Meeting in Cairo. In just three days, she became the driving force behind the success of this milestone event - earning the trust of the AFRAS community and setting a promising course for the Forum’s continued growth. Dalia brought fresh energy and vision to AFRAS at a pivotal moment. 

As the AFRAS Secretariat, we remain committed to upholding the values and spirit that Dalia exemplified—authenticity, integrity, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to development. Her legacy and her leadership model will continue to guide our work and inspire our path forward.