Prior to her appointment, Dr. El Tallawy was Secretary-General of the National Council for Women in Egypt. She served as Minister for Insurance and Social Affairs of Egypt (1997-1999) after a long and distinguished career in foreign affairs and public service.

Dr. El Tellawy has a B.A. in Political Science and Business Administration (double major) from American University in Cairo, 1961. She also has a higher degree from the Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva University, Switzerland. Ms. Tellawy served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Egypt to Japan 1993-1997 and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of International Political and Economic Affairs (1991-1993).

She also served as Chief Negotiator of the Egyptian Delegation to the Middle East Peace Conference: the Multilateral Talks on Regional Economic Cooperation (Brussels, Paris and Rome, 1991-1993). She also served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Egypt to Austria and Resident Representative of Egypt to IAEA, UNIDO, UN Centre for Social and Humanitarian Affairs in Vienna (1988-1991).