UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Dr. Ramiz Akbarov of Azerbaijan as:

• Resident Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory

• Humanitarian Coordinator

• Deputy to the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process

Key Details

1. Succession: Replaces Jordanian national Mhand Hadi as Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator

2. Interim Transition: Acknowledges Sarah Poole (USA) for serving as interim office holder

3. Experience: Brings 30+ years of expertise in:

   • Strategic planning & policy development

   • Development program management

   • Humanitarian response

Professional Background

• Current: UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia (since 2023)

• Previous:

  • Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan (UNSMA)

  • Various leadership roles at UNFPA including:
    • Acting Deputy Executive Director for Management/UN Reform
    • Director of Policy & Strategy Division (New York)
    • Country Representative for Haiti
    • Deputy Regional Director for Arab States (Cairo)
    • South Sudan Office Director

Statement from SG's Spokesperson:
"The Secretary-General expressed deep gratitude to Mr. Hadi for his dedicated service and commended Ms. Poole's interim leadership during the transition."