Welcoming Jean Yves Bouchardy as the new UNHCR Representative in Montenegro

On 30 July 2020, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has appointed Jean Yves Bouchardy, a citizen of France, as the UNHCR Representative in Montenegro, with approval of the host Government. As of 15 March 2021, Mr. Bouchardy assumed the position of the UNHCR Representative in Montenegro.  

It is a great honour for me to be appointed as UNHCR Representative in Montenegro and to lead Representation that exists since 1992 supporting humanitarian processes of providing protection along with the Government of Montenegro to the people forcibly fleeing from their home countries after ex-Yugoslav wars in '90s. This is par excellence responsibility and privilege to head UNHCR Representation in Montenegro, the country that has humanely sustained an open-door policy for all people seeking a refuge and protection and an example of global partner in humanitarian actions. I am very looking forward to supporting Government of Montenegro in strengthening asylum system, proving assistance to refugees from former Yugoslavia in status-related issues and preventing statelessness through Delivering as One approach. UNHCR Representation in Montenegro follows the EU integration process of Montenegro, as the country’s key foreign strategic goal, it shall continue to contribute to COVID-19 pandemic response and maintain great relations with diverse stakeholders in advancing SDGs achievement.

Jean Yves Bouchardy, UNHCR Representative in Montenegro

Mr. Bouchardy has more than 30 years of experience with the UN. Most recently, Mr. Bouchardy served as UNHCR’s Representative in Belarus between 2013 to 2020. He has held managerial positions both at UNHCR HQ and in the field, such as Senior Operations Manager in the Russian Federation, Head of sub-offices in Iran, Senior Refugee Coordinator in Armenia, and Special Advisor at the Division of Human Resource Management in Geneva.

Between 1992 and 2004, Mr. Bouchardy also served at the Division of Operational Support at UNHCR’s HQ as Head of the Geographic/Mapping Unit, where he introduced in the UN  - for the first time - the combination of Geographic Information System (GIS), Satellite imagery and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) as innovative technology to support refugee operations worldwide. He also developed the concept of geo-information management, which is widely used today in the UN system.

During more than 10 years, within the geographic unit, he covered over 40 operations worldwide, including humanitarian emergencies in the Great Lakes, Kosovo, and Sudan. Prior to UNHCR, Mr. Bouchardy worked for UNEP, UNITAR, and the Ministry of Transport of France.

Before joining the United Nations, from 1989 to 1991 he was engaged as researcher at South East Scientific Foundation in Lyon. Following the period from 1993 to 1995, when he was lecturer in the field of geography at University of Rennes, France.

Mr. Bouchardy obtained his Master’s degree in Geography from the University of Grenoble, France followed by a D.E.A. (post-graduate diploma). He holds a PhD in Sciences and Geography.