Profile

Dr Khaled Khalifa

Senior Advisor, Representative to the GCC
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Dr Khaled Khalifa is a seasoned humanitarian professional with over 30 years of experience in relief and development. He currently serves as the Senior Advisor and Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), where he leads global Islamic philanthropy initiatives. Throughout his career, Khaled has held senior managerial positions with major international organizations, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA), and Islamic Relief Worldwide. Khaled holds a Ph.D. in Management, Leadership and Organizational Strategy, an M.Sc. in Sustainable Development, an M.A. in English Literature & Humanities, and a Project Management Diploma. He is a renowned international trainer in disaster management and an expert speaker on humanitarian affairs and the Middle East. At UNHCR, Khaled has been instrumental in the success of the Refugee Zakat Fund, which has supported over 8 million people in 28 countries. His efforts also led to the establishment of the Global Islamic Fund for Refugees, a $500 million endowment with the Islamic Development Bank. His expertise in forging partnerships with non-traditional stakeholders has been key to these achievements.