Leadership

 

 

Catriona Laing, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia

Catriona Laing is the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of UNSOM. Appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 3 May 2023, Ms. Laing brings to the position over 35 years of experience in diplomacy, development and international relations, including having held United Kingdom government policy roles in various departments at the national and international levels. Most recently, from November 2018 until April 2023, she served as British High Commissioner to Nigeria. Prior to that, she was the British Ambassador to Zimbabwe from 2014 until 2018.

In addition to her diplomatic roles, Ms. Laing has held several positions in government policy and international development, notably as Deputy Head of the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit (2000-2004), Director for Human Rights at the Ministry of Justice (2009-2012) and as the Head of the Department for International Development in Sudan (2006-2009). She headed the UN Development Office in Somalia from 1993 to 1994.

Ms. Catriona Laing holds a Master of Science degree in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Master of Business Administration from Cranfield University, both in the United Kingdom.

 

Raisedon Zenenga, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia

Raisedon Zenenga is the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). Appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 26 January 2024, Mr. Zenenga brings extensive experience in supporting political processes and mediation, managing complex peace operations, and working with Government and other key stakeholders in conflict and post-conflict settings. He has over 30 years of experience in the United Nations, including with United Nations missions in Liberia, Libya, Iraq-Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and South Sudan, as well as at the United Nations Headquarters.

He previously held the position of Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Libya, where he also served as Assistant Secretary-General and Mission Coordinator of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. Previously, he also served as the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Somalia and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

He also served in other senior roles at the United Nations Headquarters supporting peacekeeping operations in Africa. Mr. Zenenga began his professional career in his country’s Diplomatic Service. Mr. Zenenga graduated from the University of Zimbabwe, where he studied public administration and political science.

 

George Conway, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia.

George Conway is the United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and also serves as the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator.     

He has more than 20 years of experience in development, crisis prevention and recovery, and humanitarian affairs with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other UN entities.

Prior to his current post, he served as Deputy Director at UNDP’s Crisis Bureau in New York and previously worked in Somalia as UNDP Country Director (2013–2019).

He has also served in various roles in South Sudan, Indonesia and Canada on peace and conflict issues, including as UNDP’s Strategic Advisor for Africa, Country Director a.i. in South Sudan, and Head of Programmes in Juba. In Indonesia he assisted in crisis prevention and recovery following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Before UNDP, he was an analyst on peace and conflict issues in Ottawa and a civilian expert for peace-keeping operations.

Mr. Conway holds a Master’s degree in international affairs from Carleton University in Ottawa, an interdisciplinary Master’s degree from the University of Western Ontario, and a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Winnipeg.