Beirut:Mr. Alessandro Mrakic has officially begun his role as the new Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lebanon, effective from November 1, 2026. Mrakic will oversee UNDP's initiatives aligned with Lebanon's national development goals, collaborating with the government, public institutions, communities, and development partners to facilitate recovery, enhance governance, and broaden economic opportunities.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, Mrakic brings over 20 years of experience in international development, particularly in the Arab States, with a focus on crisis response, stabilization, recovery, and institutional development. In his statement, Mrakic expressed honor in joining the UNDP team in Lebanon and emphasized his commitment to working closely with national institutions and partners to address both immediate and long-term development needs.
Before his appointment in Lebanon, Mrakic led UNDP's Gaza Sub-Office, focusing on essential services, livelihoods, and local economic recovery. He has also served as UNDP Resident Representative ad interim in Saudi Arabia and held senior roles with UNDP's Regional Bureau for Arab States in New York, Brussels, and Amman. His career spans various countries, including the State of Palestine, Iraq, and Pakistan, where he engaged in policy advice and regional programming.
Mrakic holds a PhD in Politics from the University of Reading in the UK and a degree in Architecture from the University of Florence, Italy. An Italian national, he is fluent in Italian, English, and Spanish, and is married with three children. UNDP has been active in Lebanon for over six decades, supporting governance, service improvement, livelihood creation, and sustainable development.
