Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific
An experienced leader in humanitarian response, public policy and international development
Sanjay Wijesekera is the Regional Director of UNICEF's Asia-Pacific Regional Office (APRO), based in Bangkok, Thailand. He leads UNICEF's work across one of the world's most diverse and dynamic regions home to over one billion of the world’s children, providing strategic leadership and oversight to programmes that advance children's rights and wellbeing, engaging with governments, development partners, the private sector, civil society and regional institutions.
With more than 25 years of experience spanning humanitarian response, international development, public policy and programme leadership, Mr. Wijesekera has built a career focused on helping governments and communities deliver lasting results for children. His expertise includes sustainable development, climate resilience, water and sanitation, systems strengthening and social policy, with a strong emphasis on translating global commitments into practical solutions at country level.
Prior to assuming leadership of APRO, Mr. Wijesekera served as Regional Director for UNICEF South Asia, overseeing UNICEF's work in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Before that, he was Director of UNICEF's Programme Group at Headquarters in New York, where he led the organization's global programme agenda across sectors and regions.
Earlier in his UNICEF career, he served as Representative in South Africa, Chief of UNICEF's global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme, and Associate Director of Programmes. His leadership helped shape global efforts to expand access to safe water and sanitation, strengthen resilience to climate and environmental challenges, and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Before joining UNICEF, Mr. Wijesekera held advisory and leadership roles with the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID), supporting policy and programme delivery across Africa and globally. He also worked with the Government of South Africa on local government service delivery and began his international career supporting humanitarian programmes in Rwanda.
A national of Sri Lanka, Mr. Wijesekera is a Chartered Civil Engineer. A husband and father of three, Mr. Wijesekera brings to his work a deep personal commitment to creating a better future for children.
