United Nations – The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, welcomed the election of Mr Filippo Grandi of Italy as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR).
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Grandi, who will succeed António Guterres of Portugal, was elected on Wednesday in New York by the General Assembly.
In the statement, Ban expressed his utmost gratitude for Guterres’ tireless efforts and dedication in protecting refugees, displaced persons and stateless people.
The UN Chief also thanked Guterres for bringing the plight of the most vulnerable, and their pursuit of a dignified existence, into the centre of the United Nations agenda.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
According to the statement, Grandi was most recently Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from 2010 to 2014.
It added that he has been engaged in international cooperation for over 30 years.
It further stated that Grandi brought vast experience to his new position from his work in refugee and humanitarian operations and policies, addressing human consequences of major conflicts, among others.
Born in 1957, Grandi holds a B.A. in Philosophy from the Gregorian University in Rome, a degree in modern history from the State University of Milan and an honorary degree (D.Litt.) from the University of Coventry. (NAN)
