Somalia’s Mohamed Yahya named UN Assistant Secretary-General for humanitarian affairs

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Somali national Mohamed Yahya as the new Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Yahya succeeds in one of the UN’s most senior humanitarian leadership positions, where he will support global efforts to coordinate emergency assistance, strengthen humanitarian response mechanisms, and help mobilize international support for millions of people affected by conflicts, natural disasters, climate-related emergencies, and other humanitarian crises around the world.

A seasoned development and humanitarian expert, Yahya brings decades of experience within the United Nations system. Before his appointment, he served as the UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, where he led the UN Country Team and coordinated development and humanitarian initiatives in Africa’s most populous nation. He has also held senior leadership positions with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in several countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

The Government of Somalia welcomed the appointment, describing it as a proud moment for the country and a recognition of the growing contributions of Somali professionals to international leadership.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar congratulated Yahya on behalf of the Somali government, saying:

“Congratulations to Mr. Mohamed Yahya on this well-deserved appointment. Somalia is proud to see one of its distinguished sons entrusted with a senior UN humanitarian leadership role. We wish him every success as he advances OCHA’s vital mission in support of people in need worldwide.”

The appointment comes at a time when humanitarian needs have reached unprecedented levels globally, with the United Nations estimating that hundreds of millions of people require life-saving assistance due to armed conflicts, food insecurity, displacement, disease outbreaks, and the increasing impacts of climate change.

As Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Yahya will work closely with UN agencies, governments, humanitarian organizations, and international partners to strengthen coordinated emergency responses and ensure that vulnerable populations receive timely and effective assistance.

His appointment is also seen as a significant milestone for Somalia, reflecting the country’s increasing representation in senior international institutions and highlighting the expertise of Somali professionals on the global stage.