APP
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has appointed Noriko Takagi as its new representative in Pakistan, succeeding Philippa Candler. Takagi arrived in Pakistan earlier this month to assume her new responsibilities, the UN refugee agency said in a press release on Monday.
She brings nearly three decades of experience in humanitarian and protection responses, programme management and partnership-building across Asia, Africa and Europe, including at UNHCR headquarters in Geneva.
Before her appointment in Pakistan, Takagi served as UNHCR representative in Myanmar from 2023 to 2026. Her previous assignments include Senior Programme Coordinator at the agency’s Regional Bureau in Bangkok, Deputy Representative in Myanmar and Senior Regional Programme Officer in Budapest.
She has also held field positions in Tanzania and Nepal. Before joining UNHCR in 1997, she worked with development organisations
in Uganda.
“I am very excited to take up my new role in Pakistan and look forward to working closely with the Government and UNHCR’s partners to support refugees and asylum-seekers,” Takagi said.
She expressed confidence that continued joint efforts would help address the protection needs of refugees and asylum-seekers and support them in finding solutions for a better future.