Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has appointed Professor Elias Zerhouni as president of the High Council of the Algerian Community Abroad, a newly created organization aimed at enabling Algerian expatriates to contribute to the country's development. The appointment was made through a presidential decree published in the Official Journal on November 4, 2026. Zerhouni, a prominent radiologist and professor of medicine, has had a distinguished career in the United States, particularly at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
The High Council of the Algerian Community Abroad was established to allow Algerian expatriates to participate in the country's development efforts. The council's constitutive meeting was held in June 2026 in Algiers, with Zerhouni already serving as coordinator. The council has 39 members, including notable scientific figures from America and Europe, such as Yasmine Belkaid, Belkacem Haba, Karim Zaghib, and Noureddine Melikechi. The council's mission is to contribute to the development of the country's human capital and ensure economic, social, scientific, technical, and cultural development.
Zerhouni's appointment as president of the council was welcomed by many, given his extensive experience in the field of medicine and research. Born in Nedroma, Tlemcen, in 1951, Zerhouni has spent most of his career in the United States, where he served as director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2002 to 2008. He was appointed to this prestigious position by then-US President George W. Bush. Zerhouni has expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating that the idea is to work together with Algerian youth to develop the country.
The council's members were received by President Tebboune in late September 2026. During the meeting, Zerhouni emphasized the importance of collaboration between Algerian expatriates and the country's youth to drive development. He highlighted the potential of Algerian youth, who are excelling in international competitions, and the need to harness this talent to drive growth. The council's mission is to propose sustainable mechanisms to connect expatriate scientists with the national education, research, and innovation system.
The decree establishing the council and its missions was published on September 7, 2026. The council is tasked with contributing to the strengthening of the participation of expatriate scientific communities and proposing mechanisms to link them to the national system of higher education, scientific research, and innovation. This aims to develop the country's human capital and drive economic, social, scientific, technical, and cultural development.
Zerhouni's role as president of the council is seen as a strategic move to tap into the expertise of Algerian expatriates. He has expressed his commitment to working with Algerian youth to develop the country. With his extensive experience in medicine and research, Zerhouni is well-positioned to lead the council in achieving its objectives. The council's work is expected to have a positive impact on Algeria's development trajectory.
The appointment of Elias Zerhouni as president of the High Council of the Algerian Community Abroad reflects the Algerian government's efforts to engage with its diaspora and harness their expertise for the country's development. The council's work will be closely watched, as it aims to drive growth and development in Algeria. Key points:
Key points
- Elias Zerhouni appointed president of the High Council of the Algerian Community Abroad
- The council aims to enable Algerian expatriates to contribute to the country's development efforts
- Zerhouni has extensive experience in medicine and research, particularly in the United States
