Mr. Keita Ohashi was appointed as the UNFPA Representative in the Islamic Republic of Iran and officially assumed his duties as of June 2025.
Mr. Ohashi brings over 25 years of leadership and technical experience in international development, with a strong track record in programme management, humanitarian coordination, strategic partnerships, and inter-agency collaboration. Throughout his career with UNFPA, he has led efforts to advance maternal health, adolescent reproductive health, and population data systems, particularly in complex and fragile contexts.
Prior to his appointment in Iran, Mr. Ohashi served as the UNFPA Representative in Eritrea and Gabon, and as Deputy Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad. He also held technical and advisory roles at UNFPA Headquarters in New York and the Africa Division, and worked with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as Programme Director for health and water sector projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mr. Ohashi holds a Master of Arts in International Development Studies from Ohio University and a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of East Anglia. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Demography at the University of Montreal, with a focus on fertility transitions in sub-Saharan Africa. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Geography from Rikkyo University in Japan.
Fluent in English, French, and Japanese, Mr. Ohashi is committed to advancing UNFPA’s mandate in partnership with the Government of Iran, the United Nations Country Team, civil society, and international development partners.
