Ulrika Richardson, a Swedish diplomat with over 30 years of experience in development and humanitarian aid, has been appointed as the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Libya. Previously, she served as the UN's humanitarian coordinator in Haiti, witnessing the country's severe challenges. Richardson studied social psychology and development economics in Sweden and has worked in various global regions.
Swedish Diplomat Ulrika Richardson Appointed as UN Special Envoy to Libya
Swedish Diplomat Ulrika Richardson Appointed as UN Special Envoy to Libya
Ulrika Richardson, a Swedish diplomat with over 30 years of experience in development work and humanitarian aid, has been appointed as the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Libya and on-site coordinator in the country, according to a press release from UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday.
Richardson has spent most of her career within the UN, serving in various regions including West and Central Africa, the Caribbean, the Balkans, and Southeast Europe.
Coordinator in Haiti
Most recently, she was the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Haiti, based in the capital Port-au-Prince. Last year, she stated that the country was on the brink of a famine catastrophe and witnessed Haiti's gradual collapse as the capital was overtaken by criminal gangs.
"It's terrible to see. Everyday life is filled with dangers. It's dangerous to cross a street, buy food, or visit a health center. The risk of being hit by a gang's bullet is imminent," Ulrika Richardson told Dagens Nyheter in March 2024.
Studied in Lund and Gothenburg
She studied social psychology at Lund University and development economics at the University of Gothenburg, according to the press release. Her first job was as a volunteer worker for the UN in 1995. Since then, she has worked in countries such as Ivory Coast, Cuba, Kosovo, and Turkey.
The UN's support mission in Libya (UNSMIL) was established in 2011 following the bloody civil war in the North African state. The crisis in Libya continues today, with two different governments controlling the country.