ISLAMABAD – UNHCR’s newly appointed Representative in Pakistan, Noriko Takagi, is confident of strengthening partnerships with the Government of Pakistan and humanitarian stakeholders to enhance refugee protection, address the needs of asylum-seekers and advance lasting solutions for displaced communities.
The appointment of Noriko Takagi as the new Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Pakistan is key development in the agency’s ongoing efforts to protect displaced people and support refugees and asylum-seekers in the country.
Takagi arrived in Pakistan earlier this month to assume her new position, succeeding Philippa Candler. With almost three decades of experience in humanitarian assistance, refugee protection and international development, she brings extensive operational knowledge and a strong background in managing programmes and building partnerships across diverse regions.
Her appointment comes with a wealth of international experience gained through assignments in Asia, Africa and Europe, including at UNHCR headquarters in Geneva. Most recently, she served as the agency’s Representative in Myanmar from 2023 to 2026, following several senior positions within the organisation.
Her previous responsibilities include serving as Senior Programme Coordinator at UNHCR’s Regional Bureau in Bangkok, Deputy Representative in Myanmar and Senior Regional Programme Officer in Budapest. She has also worked in field assignments in Tanzania and Nepal, gaining experience in different humanitarian and operational settings. Before joining UNHCR in 1997, Takagi worked with development organisations in Uganda.
Her professional journey reflects a long-standing commitment to humanitarian service, international cooperation and the protection of vulnerable communities. The experience she brings to Pakistan is particularly relevant to strengthening coordination among government institutions, humanitarian organisations and other partners working to address the needs of displaced populations.
Pakistan has a longstanding history of hosting refugees, particularly Afghans who have sought safety and stability across its borders. In this context, cooperation between UNHCR, the Government of Pakistan and humanitarian partners remains important in ensuring that refugees and asylum-seekers receive appropriate protection and can access pathways towards sustainable solutions.
Speaking about her new responsibilities, Takagi expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to work in Pakistan and reaffirmed her intention to collaborate closely with the government and UNHCR’s partners. She emphasised the importance of collective efforts to respond to the protection needs of refugees and asylum-seekers and help them move towards a more secure future.
Her arrival offers an opportunity to build on existing partnerships and strengthen humanitarian efforts focused on the safety, dignity and long-term well-being of displaced people. Through continued cooperation, the agency and its partners aim to support protection initiatives and advance solutions that allow refugees to rebuild their lives with greater security and hope.