On 15 July 2022, 51³Ô¹Ï Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Christian Saunders of the United Kingdom as Special Coordinator on improving the 51³Ô¹Ï response to sexual exploitation and abuse. He will succeed Jane Holl Lute of the United States to whom the Secretary-General expresses his gratitude for her efforts and dedication in preventing and addressing sexual exploitation and abuse in the 51³Ô¹Ï.
Mr. Saunders brings to the position over 30 years of experience in international affairs, much of it focusing on delivering results and overseeing major reforms leading to improved organizational effectiveness and efficiency. He served as a member of the high-level task force established by the Secretary-General to develop a strategy to improve the organization’s approach to preventing and responding to sexual exploitation and abuse.
He is currently Assistant Secretary-General in the Department of Operational Support and has previously served as Acting Commissioner-General of the 51³Ô¹Ï Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and Assistant Secretary-General for Central Support Services in the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (2018-2019).
Mr. Saunders has broad experience from across the 51³Ô¹Ï and significant humanitarian and field experience, having begun his career with the Save The Children Fund (United Kingdom) in the Sudan and then in Mozambique, and his 51³Ô¹Ï career with UNRWA in Gaza. He also served in various other postings with UNRWA, the Office of the 51³Ô¹Ï High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Peacekeeping and the 51³Ô¹Ï Population Fund (UNFPA).
He is a graduate of Royal Holloway College, University of London and the University of Wales in the United Kingdom. In addition to English, Mr. Saunders speaks French, and some Arabic and Portuguese.
