Jean-Jacques Graisse
Acting Head
for General Assembly and Conference Management
Mr. Jean-Jacques Graisse of Belgium assumed his functions as Acting Head of DGACM on Wednesday,
1 August 2012. With more than 40 years of service as an international civil servant in the Organization,
Mr. Graisse brings to this position a wealth of experience which includes managing complex operations, building productive partnerships with stakeholders and producing results.
Mr. Graisse began his long career in the United Nations working in Tunisia for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the first Belgian Junior Professional Officer ever recruited in the system. Subsequently, he served with UNDP in Côte d'Ivoire, at its Headquarters in New York and in the European office until 1973. He then joined the newly established United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi from 1973 to 1980. After serving at UNEP, he was transferred to the International Trade Centre (UNCTAD/GATT) which he left in 1988 as Director of Programmes, Finance and Personnel.
Most recently, Mr. Graisse was the Senior Deputy Executive Director responsible for the World Food Programme’s (WFP) multibillion-dollar emergency, development and logistics operations around the world. Before joining WFP, Mr. Graisse worked at UNDP where he served as Assistant Administrator and Director, Bureau for Resources and External Affairs. Prior to this, his assignments have included United Nations Resident Coordinator, UNDP Kenya (1989-1991), and Director, Office of Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, the Coordinator for the United Nations Humanitarian and Economic Assistance Programmes relating to Afghanistan (1988-1989).
Mr. Graisse was born in Brussels, Belgium, in 1940. Prior to joining the United Nations system, Mr. Graisse was Assistant Professor in Politique du Commerce International, in Antwerp, Belgium.
Last Update: 7 January 2013 / Abigail LOREGNARD