Blerta Aliko

Blerta Aliko is currently Deputy Assistant Administrator, Deputy Director of the Crisis Bureau and Head of the UNDP Geneva Representation Office. Blerta brings over 30 years of experience in international development, humanitarian action, crisis prevention and recovery. She has a strong record in leading and managing complex operations, building partnerships and strengthening resilience in crisis-affected and transitioning contexts. Since June 2024, she has served as UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon, leading UNDP’s support to recovery, institutional strengthening and resilience. From 2019 to 2024, she was the Resident Representative in Algeria. Previously, Blerta has held senior roles across the UN system, including UN Women Deputy Regional Director for the Arab States and UN Women Representative in Egypt. She has also worked with UNDP, UNICEF and UN Women, leading crisis and emergency response programmes in Liberia, Kenya, Chad, Myanmar, Haiti, Yemen and Jordan. Her work has focused on governance, crisis prevention and recovery, gender equality and partnership-building, with strong results in complex settings. As Head of the UNDP Geneva Representation Office, she will also strengthen the organization’s engagement with the multilateral community, humanitarian partners and other Geneva-based stakeholders in support of UNDP’s global crisis and development agenda. Blerta holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from IFM University in Geneva and a degree in Economics from the University of Tirana. She is fluent in Albanian, English, French and Italian.