Filippo Grandi (born 1957) is an Italian diplomat and United Nations official known for his long career in refugee and humanitarian affairs. He served as Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from 2010 to 2014. On 11 November 2015 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced his intention to appoint Grandi as the next United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a post he assumed in 2016 UNHCR.

Overview and responsibilities

As UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Grandi heads a global agency that protects and supports refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people. His remit includes coordinating international responses to large displacement crises, advocating for asylum rights and seeking solutions through resettlement, local integration or voluntary return when conditions allow. Grandi has repeatedly emphasized burden- and responsibility-sharing among states and the need for predictable funding.

Career highlights

  • Commissioner-General of UNRWA (2010–2014), overseeing services for Palestinian refugees in the Near East.
  • Appointed UN High Commissioner for Refugees in 2015 and took office in 2016, leading UNHCR through multiple major displacement crises.
  • Worked across diplomatic, operational and policy roles focused on protection, humanitarian coordination and refugee law.

Grandi’s tenure has been shaped by large-scale displacements, including situations that drew international attention and required multilateral coordination. Under his leadership, UNHCR promoted initiatives such as the Global Compact on Refugees, which sought more predictable cooperation between host countries, donors and international organizations.

Distinctive aspects and context

It is important to distinguish UNRWA and UNHCR: UNRWA provides mandated assistance specifically to Palestinian refugees and operates in a limited regional context, while UNHCR has a global mandate to protect refugees and stateless persons (with different legal frameworks and operational structures). Grandi’s experience at UNRWA informed his understanding of protracted displacement, while his role at UNHCR expanded his remit to global protection and solutions.

Throughout his public service he has been a visible advocate for humanitarian principles, urging governments and international partners to combine short-term assistance with long-term policies that enable safety, dignity and sustainable solutions for displaced populations.