Sigrid Kaag appointed as UN Middle East Envoy, retains Gaza role

Dutch politician Sigrid Kaag has been appointed by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres as the UN Special Envoy for the Middle East. Kaag’s new role is a temporary assignment, according to a spokesperson for the minister.

Kaag, who was appointed as the UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance and Reconstruction in the Gaza Strip nearly a year ago, will continue to serve in that capacity while taking on the additional responsibilities of the Special Envoy position. A UN spokesperson confirmed that she will hold both roles concurrently for a few months.

The appointment comes as Guterres is still searching for a permanent replacement for Norwegian diplomat Tor Wennesland, who stepped down in December 2024 after serving in the position for four years.

Kaag has worked for the UN in various capacities throughout her career, including for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Jerusalem in 1994, and as a UN advisor in Khartoum and Nairobi. She also served as Deputy UN Secretary-General in Syria and Lebanon.

Fluent in Arabic, Kaag is well-equipped to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. Her linguistic skills and vast experience in the region were reportedly key factors in her appointment.

Kaag was first recruited to the Dutch political scene in 2017 by the D66 party, where she served as Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance. She stepped down from national politics in 2024 to focus on her work with the UN.