Anne-Claire Legendre Takes Helm at Arab World Institute
Paris, February 17, 2026 – Anne-Claire Legendre, a distinguished diplomat and advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron, has been unanimously elected as the new president of the Institut du monde arabe (IMA) in Paris. This historic appointment, announced by the institution, sees Legendre become the first woman to lead the IMA, succeeding Jack Lang, who tendered his resignation amidst controversy surrounding his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
The decision was made during an extraordinary meeting of the IMA’s board of directors. “Reunited in an exceptional board meeting, the IMA acknowledged the formal resignation of its president Jack Lang” and, “at the proposal of the French State,” Anne-Claire Legendre was “unanimously elected president,” the Institute stated in a press release.
A Diplomat with Extensive Expertise
At 46 years old, Anne-Claire Legendre brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the Maghreb and Middle East regions to her new role. Since late 2023, she has served as President Macron’s advisor for North Africa and the Middle East. Her nomination was put forward by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, to replace Jack Lang, whose departure was necessitated by the Epstein affair.
An ambassador on the IMA’s board of directors praised Legendre, stating, “She is competent, substantive, and committed, with a keen knowledge of every country that makes up the Arab world, be it the Maghreb or the Middle East.”
From Brittany to the Quai d’Orsay and Beyond
Originally from Brittany, Legendre is fluent in Arabic, a language she mastered at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (Inalco). She also holds degrees from Sciences Po Paris and the Sorbonne (Modern Literature). Her career at the Quai d’Orsay, which contributes half of the IMA’s 12.3 million euro budget, has been marked by several significant roles. In 2016, she became the first and youngest female French Consul in New York, a position she held for four years.
In 2020, she was appointed Ambassador to Kuwait, only to be recalled to Paris a year later to serve as the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this capacity, she played a crucial role in countering Russian disinformation campaigns, leading to the creation of a “monitoring and strategy” sub-directorate in summer 2022 to structure responses to foreign narratives.
A Visible and Influential Spokesperson
While some at the Quai d’Orsay occasionally perceived her as somewhat reserved, Legendre was notably at ease during her weekly press conferences, skillfully articulating France’s positions on key issues without deviating from established guidelines. She significantly raised the profile of the ministry’s spokesperson role through frequent appearances on television and radio, explaining France’s stance on major international matters, particularly the war in Ukraine and the activities of the Russian Wagner group in Africa.
In December 2023, Anne-Claire Legendre joined the Elysée’s diplomatic cell as advisor for North Africa and the Middle East, working under the seasoned Emmanuel Bonne. This period coincided with a resurgence of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a sensitive time for President Macron, whose foreign policy in the region had faced criticism, even from within French diplomatic circles, for being unclear.
Advocating for Palestinian State Recognition
Shortly before Legendre’s arrival at the Elysée, an internal memo leaked to the press, criticizing the President’s perceived pro-Israeli stance and a lack of consultation with the Quai d’Orsay. As the Quai’s spokesperson, she promptly reaffirmed the close collaboration between the ministry’s diplomats and the Elysée’s diplomatic unit.
According to diplomatic sources cited by AFP, Anne-Claire Legendre was a key instigator behind France’s recognition of a Palestinian state last September. This recognition, which angered Israel, was followed by a ceasefire, though the prospect of a two-state solution living peacefully side-by-side remains largely elusive.
Nevertheless, this recognition is considered “a strong point for all the Arab member countries” to be credited to the diplomat, explained one of the ambassador members of the IMA’s board of directors. Beyond the delicate Israeli-Palestinian dossier, Legendre is also frequently dispatched to de-escalate challenging situations, with varying degrees of success.
In March 2025, she traveled to Algiers to meet with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in an attempt to ease tensions between France and Algeria, before the two countries once again plunged into crisis. In Lebanon, she advocated for an end to the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. An agreement was reached in November 2024, under which France became part of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism alongside the Americans.
The IMA’s board of directors, composed equally of Arab ambassadors and figures chosen by the Quai d’Orsay, formally endorsed her mandate this Tuesday morning.
Source: France 3 Regions, Agence France-Presse (AFP)
