The High Commissioner
The High Commissioner
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Filippo Grandi became the 11th United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on 1 January 2016.
Before being elected High Commissioner, Grandi was engaged in international cooperation for over 30 years, focusing on refugee and humanitarian work.
He served as Commissioner-General of the UN Agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, from 2010 to 2014, after having been the organization’s Deputy Commissioner-General since 2005.
Grandi previously served as Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Afghanistan, following a long career first with NGOs, and later with UNHCR in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and at the organization’s Geneva headquarters.
Born in Milan in 1957, Grandi holds a degree in modern history from the State University in Milan, a BA in Philosophy from the Gregorian University in Rome, as well as an honorary Doctorate from the University of Coventry.
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“I was deeply touched by how the refugees keep their dignity and kindness." Yao Chen has worked with UNHCR since 2010.
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In 1997, the UNHCR office in Beijing became a Regional Office covering Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
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UNHCR is governed by the UN General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
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The UNHCR Sub-Office Hong Kong (“SOHK”) reports to the Office in Beijing and covers both the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions.
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The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly.