Iori KATO

Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific

Biography

Originally from Japan, Iori brings over 27 years of professional experience, including more than 20 years within the UN System and two years as Senior Regional Advisor (SRA) to the Director-General of IOM for the Asia and Pacific Region from 2020 to 2022.

Iori rejoins IOM from UNFPA, where he was the Director & Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific Island Countries.

Iori has held several other high-level positions within the UN, including UNFPA Acting Representative in Bangladesh where he spearheaded their humanitarian action for the Rohingya refugee crises, UNFPA Representative in the Philippines when he worked with IOM in supporting the historic transition in Mindanao, as well as other positions in the region.

Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and partnership building, strategic thinking, and a commitment to implementing humanitarian and development programs. 

Prior to joining the UN system in 2003, Iori worked as a journalist in his home country of Japan.

Iori holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University in New York and a Bachelor’s degree from International Christian University in Tokyo.