JEDDAH: The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has selected Saudi businessman Ghadran Said Ghadran among top 20 influential figures in economic, social, humanitarian, youth, and sports fields at the level of Arab world.

The selected personalities have also played a key role in fighting poverty and malnutrition and promoting education, peace and tolerance.

The list of the world association of trainees and colleagues of the ECOSOC also included key Arab figures, who were chosen by academicians and experts from top US universities such as Harvard, George Town and George Washington — assigned by the UN body.

The selected names included key and influential figures in the Arab world such as Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Khalid Abdulaziz, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, Prince Turki bin Salman, Najeeb Sawarees and Sulaiman Al-Fihaim.

Ghadran, whose group is running industrial, economic, health, and educational projects, is being recognized for his outstanding economic activities and for his achievements in many areas.

Ghadran’s leading role in social and charity operations as chairman or board member of such societies has also brought him this honor.

The selection was also based on his prominent role as the chairman of the Saudi Tennis Association (STA) with the Saudi team has achieved excellent results at Gulf, Arab and Asian levels.

Ghadran obtained his bachelor degree in business administration (BA) from the US-based Middle Estate University.

He held a series of positions in a number of economic, social, humanitarian, youth and sports fields. They include: head of the Saudi Tennis Association (STA), deputy president of Arab Union, deputy board chairman of Eastern Region Orphans Society (Tamkeen), deputy board chairman of Said Ali Ghadran Group of Companies, deputy board chairman of Kasco Holding Company, deputy board chairman of the national company for agro and industrial sulfur, deputy board chairman of Industrial Creativity Company.

He was a board member in a number of companies such as Afaq for Aviation Services, National Gas and Industrialization Company, Al-Itifaq and Al-Qadisiyah Sports Clubs. He was also the general manager and a board member of Al-Sharq newspaper.