Ibrahim Shihata

Dr. Ibrahim Shihata retired in 2000 as Senior Vice-President and Special Adviser to the World Bank's President. On May 28, 2001, Dr. Ibrahim Shihata died in Washington D.C., from complications due to liver disease.

Dr. Shihata is most well known for his creation of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) Organisation. Founded in 1985, the purpose of the organization was to encourage direct foreign investment to developing countries for economic development, while providing insurance against non-commercial risks such as war and famine. He made a significant contribution to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) a joint program with the United Nations that promoted environmentally friendly development. He was responsible for the expansion of the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). During his 17-year tenure at the World Bank, Dr. Shihata developed these organizations into world-renowned entities. Dr. Shihata was known for his achievements as general counsel, and the numerous books and articles he authored on the World Bank, international law and international economics. They include The World Bank Legal Papers, The World Bank Inspection Panel: in practice, The MIGA and foreign investment, among others. He wrote his famous book (in Arabic) about Egypt, Waseyati Li Beladi (My Will for My Country), which analyzed Egypt's major problems at the time and predicted the Egyptian Revolution.

While working at the OPEC Fund, Dr Shihata also served as an Executive Director at the International Fund for Agricultural Development. He was the first Chairman of the International Development Law Institute he contributed establishing in 1983.

In 1983, Dr Shihata was appointed as Senior Vice President & General Counsel for the World Bank and Secretary-General of the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). He was handpicked by then President, Tom Clawsen, and was the first person from a developing country to be appointed to the position.

Dr. Shihata was appointed as Director General of the then OPEC Special Fund at its creation in 1976. Under his leadership, the OPEC Special Fund developed into the long-standing institution that is known as today—the OPEC Fund for International Development. During his tenure, Dr. Shihata was known for his contribution towards addressing the issue of poverty, primarily in the southern areas of the world.

During his service with the then Unified Republic, Dr. Shihata was informed that he had been granted a scholarship for study in the United States. He had only applied to Harvard University, where he completed his PhD in International Law. He completed the degree in 1964, in just under 4 years. His professor spoke highly of his dissertation, stating that the paper increased the value of a PhD degree from Harvard, and the value of the university as a whole.

Dr. Ibrahim F. I. Shihata (1937–2001) was an expert on international development and the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the World Bank from 1983 to 2000.