Professor Ashraf Marei is the Secretary General of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities in Egypt. He is a professor at Helwan University and a global leader in the disability field with a lifelong career in promoting inclusive development and the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs). Prof Ashraf participated as an international expert in the preparation of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities CRPD and the African Protocol for the rights of PWDs.

Prof Ashraf is a Fullbright Scholar who collaborated with distinguished leaders from the US, Germany, and Egypt to advance the scientific foundation of Adapted Physical Education. In 1994, He founded the Special Olympics Egypt for persons with intellectual disabilities. He also founded NAS as a civil society organization for the rights of PWDs and the Arab Organization for the Disabled at the Arab League. He served as a member of the Scientific Committee and the Council of Athletes at the International Paralympic committee, 2000 – 2004