Ahmed Abu-Goura, a medical doctor and former Jordanian health minister, was the first non-European to be elected chairman of the Standing Commission.

Abu-Goura, who gained post-graduate degrees from London and Harvard universities, was elected secretary-general of the Jordan National Red Crescent Society in 1953 and president in 1964. He played a major role in relief operations for refugees and displaced people.

Born in Es-Salt in 1918, he took part in meetings of government experts and diplmatic conference on the reaffirmation and development of International Humanitarian Law.

Abu-Goura, who also served as Jordan’s labour and social welfare minister, was a member of the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent from 1977 to 1981. In Jordan, he was also vice-president of the Islamic Cultural Society.

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