Sweden nominates former IKEA chief for key UN post

Sweden has put forward outgoing IKEA CEO Jesper Brodin as its candidate for the next United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Brodin expressed in an interview with the Financial Times that he was pleasantly surprised the government considered him, noting that nominating a business leader is quite unusual.

He emphasised the importance of breaking down societal barriers, whether related to climate issues or refugees.

Brodin stated that Sweden’s government selected him due to his extensive leadership experience at a company with 170,000 employees across 43 countries, adding that the UN is undergoing changes and therefore requires leaders with experience managing large organisations across multiple countries.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres will select the commissioner from among the candidates, after which the nomination must be approved by a vote in the UN General Assembly.

Sweden has a long-standing partnership with UNHCR and was the organisation’s largest core donor in 2024 – with a contribution of SEK 960 million (approximately $102 million), equivalent to 15% of its total core funding.

As such, Sweden has a strong interest in the organisation being led by someone who has the ability to defend UNHCR’s fundamental role and mandate, unlock new forms of funding, build global trust, and deliver real impact.

At a time when refugee numbers are at record highs and needs are growing, it is crucial that UNHCR has leadership that can meet challenges with innovation and action.

By Jeyhun Aghazada