UN Coordinator Gianluca Rampolla Honored in Venezuela as Mission Concludes

Gianluca Rampolla, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Venezuela, has been honored with the Francisco de Miranda Order in its first class by Venezuela's Executive Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez. The award marks the conclusion of Rampolla's five-year mission leading the UN system's activities in the country.

During his tenure, which began in 2021 after his appointment by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Rampolla was responsible for coordinating the UN country team. This team comprises various agencies, funds, and programs engaged in cooperation, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development initiatives across Venezuela. He played a crucial role in liaising between the UN, Venezuelan institutions, and other humanitarian actors.

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These have been intense, challenging years, but above all profoundly human, because if there is one thing I learned very early on and continue to feel every day is that Venezuela cannot be explained, it must be lived.

Rampolla described his time in Venezuela as "intense, challenging, but above all profoundly human." He emphasized that the country's complexities can only be truly understood through lived experience. His work involved supporting UN programs in critical areas such as health, education, food security, social protection, and aid to vulnerable communities.

The Francisco de Miranda Order is one of Venezuela's highest distinctions, awarded to national and foreign citizens for outstanding contributions to the country. Rodríguez presented the honor as a recognition of Rampolla's dedicated service. Rampolla expressed deep gratitude to his UN team for their tireless commitment as he prepares to depart Venezuela next week, concluding over two decades of service within the UN system.

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I close this cycle with deep gratitude to my United Nations team for their tireless commitment.