Ali, Omar Abdi

Omar Abdi was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on 01 August 2014. Mr. Abdi served as UNICEF’s Comptroller (2011 – 2014). Prior to that role, he served as UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Management (2007 – 2010), Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa (2006 – 2007), and UNICEF Representative in several countries – Pakistan, Ghana, and Liberia. He brings a deep understanding of UNICEF’s programmes and operations. Additionally, he has helped pioneer streamlining systems to strengthen results on the ground. Mr. Abdi, a Canadian national born in Somalia, has a doctorate degree in development economics and a masters in international development, both from Cornell University, as well as a bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) in civil engineering from the Somali National University.