Bangladesh Takes Charge of UNHCR Executive Committee Bureau for the First Time

For the first time since its inception in 1959, Bangladesh has assumed leadership of the Bureau of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Executive Committee (ExCom). Ambassador Nahida Sobhan, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Office in Geneva, will lead the four-member Bureau in a milestone achievement for the country’s multilateral diplomacy.

The ExCom Bureau guides the Committee’s activities and builds consensus among member states on global refugee and forced displacement crises. Bangladesh’s unanimous nomination by the Asia-Pacific region was formally seconded by Algeria and Austria before receiving backing from all 110 ExCom member states. Diplomatic analysts view the election as a strong endorsement of Bangladesh’s growing influence and the international community's trust.

A seasoned diplomat, Ambassador Sobhan brings extensive experience to the role. She previously served as Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Canada and Ambassador to Jordan, along with diplomatic postings in Rome, Geneva, and Kolkata. During her tenure as Director General of the UN Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she served as Member-Secretary of the National Task Force on Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) and worked closely with UNHCR to address the Rohingya crisis.

Bangladesh is currently hosting approximately 1.3 million Rohingya refugees while actively advocating for their safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation. Against this backdrop, leading the ExCom Bureau holds unique strategic significance.

With global displacement at record highs and humanitarian funding facing severe shortfalls, Bangladesh’s leadership role provides a critical platform to champion international solidarity, equitable responsibility-sharing, and effective humanitarian crisis management. Experts consider this appointment a vital recognition of Bangladesh’s enduring commitment to humanitarian values and its responsible stewardship of displaced populations.