Thoraya Obaid (born March 2, 1945) is a Saudi Arabian UN official who served as Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) from 2001 to 2010. She was the first Arab woman to hold this position. Obaid focused on global reproductive health, gender equality, and women's empowerment. During her tenure, she led UNFPA in addressing population challenges, promoting sustainable development, and expanding family planning and maternal health programs in developing countries. Her work earned international recognition, making her a prominent representative of Arab women in the UN system.
