It is with sincere gratitude and a profound sense of responsibility that I accept the honour of serving as IASIA President. This opportunity constitutes a milestone in my public service journey, shaped first by years in government and later through academic engagement in the field of public administration. The role to which I have been dedicated has been built on hard work and steadfast commitment, and I remain indebted to the various colleagues, mentors, and institutions that supported and inspired my growth. I step into this presidency with energy and optimism, fully committed to the opportunities that lie ahead for IASIA and its global stakeholders.

IASIA boasts many strengths as it strives to advance excellence in public administration globally by accrediting high-quality programs, fostering interdisciplinary and comparative research, and strengthening international collaboration among scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. Through its scientific meetings and conferences, publications, and knowledge-sharing platforms, IASIA disseminates cutting-edge insights that shape the future of governance. The association remains committed to building capacity across regions, while nurturing emerging leaders and amplifying the voices of underrepresented individuals. Guided by cultural diversity, inclusivity, and mutual learning, IASIA provides a vibrant global community that promotes innovation, advances professional standards, and deepens democratic public governance worldwide.

While acknowledging the strategic challenges currently impacting the association, IASIA recognises the need to strengthen its financial sustainability, broaden inclusivity, and deepen member engagement to remain a truly global and relevant institution. Reliance on conference-based income, high participation costs, and uneven digital access, risk excluding scholars and practitioners, especially from less-resourced regions, and limit continuous knowledge sharing. The association should further guard against bureaucratic dominance while bridging the gap between global narratives and local realities, ensuring its work reflects diverse contexts. By addressing these challenges, we can build a more equitable, engaged, and future-focused membership base. In tandem with the IIAS vision to be a digitally agile, publication-rich, and resource-strong knowledge institution, as president, I envision a globally connected and influential community that sets the benchmark for excellence in public administration research, education, and practice. By building institutional continuity, nurturing emerging scholars, expanding open-access knowledge, and integrating transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence, I will strive to drive innovation that is ethical, inclusive, and future-focused.

Building on my proud journey with IASIA and the contributions and personal fulfilment I experienced across various portfolios, projects and interventions, I am confident that my vision will advance the association's previous successes and elevate it to new horizons. In conclusion, we sincerely acknowledge the IASIA President of the previous term, Dr Najat Zarrouk from Morocco (2022–2025), the IIAS Past President, Dr Ra’ed Ben Shams, and the IIAS Director General, Dr Sofiane Sahraoui. Looking forward to the term ahead.