UN appoints Toily Kurbanov to senior South Sudan roles

UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced on 24 September 2026 the appointment of Toily Kurbanov as deputy special representative for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Kurbanov will also serve as resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator, combining responsibilities across the UN’s work in the country. [1]

Kurbanov, identified in the announcement as being from the Russian Federation, will succeed Anita Kiki Gbeho of Ghana. [1]

At the time of the announcement, Kurbanov was executive coordinator of the United Nations Volunteers programme, a post he had held since 2021. He previously served as its deputy executive coordinator from 2016 to 2020. [1]

His earlier UN assignments included work in Myanmar and the Pacific. According to the UN’s biographical note, he was country director for the United Nations Development Programme in Myanmar from 2012 to 2016. Before that, he served as deputy resident representative in Fiji and the Pacific Island Countries from 2007 to 2012, with responsibilities covering programmes in 10 Pacific small island developing states. [1]