Honourable Ms Areti Sianni

Chief of Mission, UNHCR in India and Maldives

Ms Areti Sianni serves as Chief of Mission for UNHCR in India and the Maldives, leading the UN Refugee Agency’s work in protection, advocacy, and partnerships for displaced persons. With over two decades of distinguished UN career spanning Asia, Africa, and Europe, she has managed complex humanitarian operations while advancing refugee rights in challenging political contexts. Her expertise centers on balancing humanitarian concerns with national security imperatives, a theme she addresses in international forums including the Times Higher Education Innovation & Impact Summit. Ms Sianni is deeply committed to strengthening multilateral responses to refugee crises, fostering dialogue between governments, NGOs, and communities to ensure inclusive, rights-based solutions. At UNHCR India, she has prioritised enhancing refugee protection frameworks, expanding access to education and livelihoods, and supporting host communities to promote social cohesion. Her leadership illustrates how humanitarian protection serves as a critical component of global governance, particularly as displacement intersects with climate change, conflict, and inequality.