Encyclopedia · Biography

Nickolay Mladenov

Bulgarian diplomat and high representative for Gaza

Background

Nickolay Mladenov served in Bulgaria’s parliament, in the European Parliament and as Bulgaria’s defense and foreign minister.

Career and institutions

He served as UN special representative in Iraq and as UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process from 2015 to 2020. He later joined the Washington Institute and led the UAE-based Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy.

Recent and documented role

The White House named him high representative for Gaza and a Board of Peace executive participant in January 2026; this role links the diplomatic board and local Gaza administrative arrangements.

Education and public service

Nickolay Mladenov studied international relations in Sofia and received a master's degree in war studies from King's College London. He served in Bulgaria's parliament and the European Parliament before becoming the country's minister of defense (2009–2010) and minister of foreign affairs (2010–2013).

His United Nations appointments included special representative for Iraq and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, followed by special coordinator for the Middle East peace process (2015–2020). A UN biography records that he is married and has a daughter. In 2026 he was named high representative for Gaza as part of the announced Board of Peace framework; this is a separate institutional capacity from the earlier UN posts.

References

1. https://unsco.unmissions.org/en/special-coordinator-nickolay-mladenov
2. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/about/press-room/press-release/washington-institute-congratulates-nickolay-mladenov-his-appointment
3. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2026/01/statement-on-president-trumps-comprehensive-plan-to-end-the-gaza-conflict/
4. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/experts/nickolay-mladenov