The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced on Thursday that Christian Skog has officially presented his credentials as the new UNICEF Representative in Iraq to Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.
In a statement published on UNICEF’s official website, Skog said, “I am honored to join UNICEF in Iraq to serve children and youth across the country. I look forward to working closely with the Government of Iraq, our UN partners, and civil society organizations to advance children’s rights and build a better future for every child.”
According to the organization, Skog brings over 30 years of experience in international development, humanitarian response, and human rights. He has dedicated his career to promoting child welfare, leading UNICEF programs in various contexts through effective partnerships with governments, civil society organizations, and development partners.
Before taking up his post in Iraq, Skog served as UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka (2021–2025), Mexico (2016–2021), Guatemala (2012–2016), and Mauritania (2007–2011). He also held the position of Deputy Representative in Haiti from 2005 to 2007.
Earlier in his career, Skog was UNICEF’s primary liaison with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), working closely with UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and international NGOs to strengthen global coordination and humanitarian response mechanisms.
He also worked with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), serving as regional coordinator in both eastern Afghanistan and the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, and held various positions at UN headquarters in New York and Geneva.
Skog holds a master’s degree in economic development and a bachelor’s degree in quantitative economics from Stanford University in California. He is Swedish, married, and has two children.
UNICEF stated that its new representative in Iraq will lead the organization’s efforts to support the Government of Iraq in fulfilling its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In collaboration with UN partners and other stakeholders, Skog will work to ensure that every child in Iraq—especially the most disadvantaged—enjoys the right to survival, development, and the realization of their full potential.