Beirut, 1 November 2026 — Mr. Alessandro Mrakic has assumed his functions as the new Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lebanon, effective 1 November 2026.
Mr. Mrakic will lead UNDP’s work in support of Lebanon’s national development priorities, working closely with the Government, public institutions, communities and development partners to advance recovery, strengthen governance and expand economic opportunities.
He brings more than 20 years of experience in international development, primarily across the Arab States, with expertise in crisis response, stabilisation, recovery and institutional development.
“I am honoured to take up this role and join the UNDP team in Lebanon,” said Mr. Mrakic. “I look forward to listening, learning and working closely with national institutions, communities and partners. We have an important work ahead, both in responding to the immediate recovery needs and in supporting the longer-term reforms and development priorities of the country. As part of the UN’s support, UNDP will continue its efforts by making tangible positive difference in people’s lives.”
Prior to his appointment in Lebanon, Mr. Mrakic served as Head of UNDP’s Gaza Sub-Office, where he led programmes supporting essential services, livelihoods and local economic recovery, working with national and local institutions, United Nations agencies and international partners.
He previously served as UNDP Resident Representative ad interim in Saudi Arabia and held senior positions with UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States in New York, Brussels and Amman. His experience includes policy advice, country and regional programming, and partnerships with
governments, international financial institutions and development partners, as well as assignments in the State of Palestine, Iraq and Pakistan.
Mr. Mrakic holds a PhD in Politics from the University of Reading, United Kingdom, and a degree in Architecture from the University of Florence, Italy. An Italian national, he speaks Italian, English and Spanish. He is married with three children.
For more than six decades, UNDP has worked in Lebanon, supporting national and local efforts to strengthen governance, improve basic services, create livelihood opportunities and advance sustainable development. It works with partners across the country to connect immediate recovery needs with longer-term development priorities.