Laila Baker

Laila Baker is the Regional Director for the Arab States in UNFPA, the UN Agency for Sexual and reproductive health.
Ms. Baker has 30 years of international experience in global humanitarian and development settings primarily in the Arab region, leading and strategizing program delivery, resource mobilization, and interagency coordination in complex geopolitical situations. Ms. Baker has served in several representational and advisory roles, she is an expert in UNFPA mandate areas and programs, including sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender-based violence, especially in humanitarian settings.
Ms. Baker’s career also includes work with major non-UN organizations such as the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s Regional Office in Tunisia, OXFAM UK, and as the Director of Strategic Planning of the national branch of the IFRC in Palestine. As HQ Director for UNRWA’s Relief and Services Program from 2014 to 2016, she instituted a series of reforms to the poverty and social inclusion programs. Ms. Baker comes from a long history of service with the United Nations, most notably, UNDP, and UNRWA, and a twenty-year career with UNFPA, where she served in Palestine, Geneva, and as a Representative in Syria and Jordan. She was previously the Regional Director for Arab States, UNDCO, in Amman since August 2019.
Mr. Baker has been committed to the development and humanitarian work in the Arab region and is also passionate and strongly committed to seeing through the achievement of the three transformative results in the region by 2030.
A national of the United States of America, and of Palestinian descent, Ms. Baker completed her master’s degrees in public health from the University of Wales and Cardiff University School of Medicine and Community.