Following the resignation of Jack Lang from the Arab World Institute (IMA), discussions are underway regarding potential successors. Names circulating include Anne-Claire Legendre, an advisor on Middle Eastern matters to President Emmanuel Macron, and François Gouyette, a former ambassador. The French Foreign Ministry intends to swiftly appoint a new leader in hopes of distancing the institution from the era of Lang, which they aim to consider as a problematic chapter in the IMA's history.

On January 10, Jean-Noël Barrot announced that an IMA board meeting will be held the following week to identify Lang's successor. Invitations for this meeting have been sent for the morning of February 17, where Lang is expected to deliver a brief speech. The board consists of 14 members—seven representing Arab League countries and seven French representatives—who will vote to select the new president during this gathering.

This transition period is crucial for the IMA as it seeks to redefine its direction and priorities after a controversial leadership. The choice of Lang's successor could greatly influence the IMA's future engagements and relationships with both Arab nations and France, making it a significant appointment in the context of international cultural diplomacy.