UNSCOL Leadership

United Nations Secretary-General appointed Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert of the Netherlands as his Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), on 20 May 2024.

Prior to taking up her position in Lebanon, Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (2018-2024).

Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert brings to this position over 25 years of experience in diplomacy, international security and Middle East affairs. Prior to that, she was Minister of Defence of the Netherlands (2012-2017) – the first woman to hold this position. She previously served as a member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands (2010-2012) and as a member of the European Parliament (2004-2010). Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert has also worked for the European Commission in Belgium and Latvia, as well as for the City of Amsterdam and in the private sector. Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert is proficient in English, French and German and is a native Dutch speaker.

X account: @JeanineHennis

Imran Riza

Deputy Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for Lebanon

Pakistan

Mr. Imran Riza of Pakistan was appointed United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon and Resident Coordinator for Lebanon in September 2022. He also serves as United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator.

Mr. Riza has over 35 years of international experience across the United Nations System, mainly in field settings. Prior to taking up his position at UNSCOL, he was in Syria as United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator. Prior to that, he served in Lebanon as Deputy Head of Mission and Director of the Division of Political Affairs, Civil Affairs and Strategic Communications of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). He previously served as the Regional Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries for the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the UNHCR Representative for Jordan. With UNHCR, he has also served in Geneva, Sudan, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Mr. Riza has also held positions with the World Food Programme (WFP) in Rome and as Senior Adviser to the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for Lebanon, as well as with UNSCOL.

Mr. Riza holds a master’s degree in Social-Cultural Anthropology from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from McGill University. Mr. Riza speaks English, French and Urdu.

X account: @Imran_Riza