Australian Humanitarian Leader Appointed UN Resident Coordinator for Bhutan
New York – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced the appointment of Gaurav ray of Australia as the new United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bhutan. The appointment, made with the approval of the Bhutanese government, will be effective November 8, 2025.
Ray brings a wealth of experience to the role,boasting over 25 years dedicated to humanitarian adn growth work in challenging environments. He most recently served as Head of Office and Senior Representative for the German Red Cross in Bangladesh,where he provided strategic leadership and policy direction for the country program.
during his time in Bangladesh, Ray spearheaded innovative initiatives focused on Anticipatory Action and Climate resilience, and oversaw critical operations supporting refugees in Cox’s Bazar.He also cultivated strong partnerships with key stakeholders, demonstrating a proven ability to navigate complex operational landscapes.
Prior to this, Ray held leadership positions with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Start Network, and various Australian Red Cross organizations, including RedR Australia and Emergency Management Australia. his extensive field experience spans across Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, india, Indonesia, and Thailand, encompassing disaster risk management, emergency response, and community resilience building.
“Mr. Ray’s career has been defined by a commitment to risk-informed, inclusive, and sustainable development,” a UN statement noted. “He is adept at fostering collaboration, integrating diverse perspectives, and utilizing diplomacy to achieve impactful outcomes.”
Ray holds a Master of Buisness Management (MBA) in International Business from the Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand) and a Master’s degree in Management from ESCP-EAP (Oxford, UK). He further complements his practical experience with a Postgraduate Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance from Fordham University (USA), a certificate in Disaster Management from the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (Thailand), and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Fergusson College, University of Pune (India).
Keywords: United Nations, Bhutan, Gaurav Ray, UN Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Aid, Development, António Guterres, Bangladesh, German Red Cross, Climate Resilience, Disaster Management.
