Mr. Philippe Lazzarini has served as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) since 2020. With over 30 years in humanitarian leadership, he has held key roles in the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the private sector. Prior to UNRWA, Mr. Lazzarini was the Deputy UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, as well as Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, leading coordination efforts in conflict and post-conflict settings. From 2013 to 2015, he served as Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia. His career began with the ICRC, where he directed delegations in Rwanda, Angola, and Sarajevo. Mr. Lazzarini holds degrees from the University of Neuchatel and the University of Lausanne and began his career as an economist in Switzerland.​​