UNICEF appoints Ken Legins as new Representative for Thailand

BANGKOK, 20 January 2026 - UNICEF is proud to announce that Ken Legins has been appointed as its new Representative in Thailand.  Legins – who has previously worked in countries as varied as China, Belize and Iraq - brings more than 25 years of experience in international development to the role, with particular expertise in humanitarian response and child and adolescent health. His depth of experience and commitment to child rights will drive UNICEF Thailand forward as it continues to improve lives for children and youth in the country.

“I’m honoured to return to Thailand, a country I have long admired for its leadership on child and public health,” said Legins. “I have worked with the Royal Thai Government previously, when the country took a pioneering approach to tackling HIV among women and children. Thailand - supported by partners such as UNICEF - achieved something extraordinary in both the treatment of women and children with HIV and in reversing its rapid spread.

“I look forward to leading UNICEF’s work in supporting the Thai Government to address today’s challenges, from malnutrition and inequality to the impacts of climate change and migration. Thailand has much to share with the world, including its achievements in universal health coverage, social protection, and the protection of migrant children.”

Immediately prior to his appointment to Thailand, Legins served as UNICEF Representative for Belize, where he championed disaster risk reduction and innovative funding, and helped establish a new UNICEF multi-country office in the Caribbean. He previously served as Deputy Representative for Programmes in Iraq, overseeing large-scale initiatives to support displaced children and families while strengthening social services.

Earlier in his career, Legins held senior leadership roles at UNICEF’s Supply Division in Denmark, where he led global efforts to strengthen supply chains, which proved invaluable during the COVID-19 crisis, ensuring UNICEF could safely provide vaccines across the world. He has also worked extensively on adolescent health, HIV policy, and maternal health with UNICEF and the World Health Organization across Asia and Europe, including in multiple crisis-affected settings.

As UNICEF Representative for Thailand, Legins will work closely with the Royal Thai Government, civil society, the private sector, and young people and children themselves to advance the rights of every child, particularly the most vulnerable. In Thailand, he will focus on strengthening social protection, education, health, and child protection systems, while ensuring that the voices of children and young people are heard in policies that affect their lives.

“UNICEF has been a trusted partner to Thailand for almost 80 years, and the progress we have made together for children has improved the lives of millions,” Legins said. “I am honoured to build on this partnership and looking forward to working with partners and the Thai people towards a future where every child benefits from the country’s economic and social progress and no child is left behind.”