| Secretary-General | Life | Took office | Left office | Nationality | Photo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdul Rahman Azzam | 1893–1976 | 1945 | 1952 | Egypt | |
| 2 | Abdul Khalek Hassouna | 1898-1992 | 1952 | 1972 | Egypt | |
| 3 | Mahmoud Riad | 1917-1992 | 1972 | 1979 | Egypt | |
| 4 | Chedli Klibi | 1925-present | 1979 | 1990 | Tunisia | |
| 5 | Ahmed Asmat Abdel-Meguid | 1923-present | 1991 | 2001 | Egypt | |
| 6 | Amr Moussa | 1936-present | 2001 | 2011 | Egypt | |
| 7 | Nabil El Araby | 1935-present | 2011 | incumbent | Egypt |