Yves Sassenrath: A UN Expert with Three Decades of Experience Leads UNFPA’s Mission in Egypt
With over 30 years of experience in humanitarian and development work, Mr. Yves Sassenrath assumed the role of Resident Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Egypt on August 1, 2024. His appointment marks a continuation of a distinguished career dedicated to advancing human development and human rights around the world.
Sassenrath began his professional journey as a volunteer in both Romania and India before joining Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). There, he worked in conflict-affected and fragile areas in Colombia and the Amazon basin, overseeing public health, water, and sanitation programs.
In 1999, he joined the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in Senegal, serving as Deputy Resident Representative. His work focused on local governance, decentralization, and expanding microfinance services in rural communities.
In 2001, he moved to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York, where he held a series of leadership positions. These included Director of External Relations and Resource Mobilization, Head of Operations and Advocacy in the Human Development Report Office, and Special Advisor to the Millennium Development Goals Fund. During this period, he played a key role in developing the Business Operations Strategy (BOS) and the unified back office model, which have since been adopted across UN offices globally to enhance operational efficiency.
In 2015, he joined UNFPA as Deputy Representative in Brazil, where he managed the response to the migration crisis involving Venezuelan refugees. He later served as Resident Representative in Haiti, where he led the implementation of the country’s fifth national census and oversaw programs in reproductive health, women’s empowerment, and violence reduction. In Mali, he headed the UNFPA country office, directing efforts toward health and protection issues and promoting youth engagement in peace and stability efforts.
Sassenrath holds a master’s degree in political science and philosophy from the University of Glasgow. He is fluent in several languages, married, and the father of three children.
His new role as head of UNFPA in Egypt represents a significant step in his professional journey. He aims to strengthen collaboration with national partners to support the reproductive health agenda, empower women and youth, and advance social justice in line with UNFPA’s vision of a world where everyone enjoys equal rights and opportunities.
