In Memoriam: Gregory Kovrizhenko, Honorary President of WFUNA
* 1934 † 2026
WFUNA mourns the passing of Gregory Kovrizhenko, our Honorary President, a distinguished expert in international relations, and a devoted advocate for the United Nations and the global movement of United Nations Associations.
For many decades, Gregory Kovrizhenko dedicated his professional life to international cooperation, public diplomacy, and the promotion of the principles and purposes of the United Nations. A graduate of MGIMO University, his career was closely connected with international relations from 1958 onward.
His contribution to the United Nations Associations movement was long-standing and significant. From 1976 to 1981, he served as Executive Secretary of his UNA. He later worked as Deputy Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and headed the International Relations Division at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.
Gregory Kovrizhenko remained deeply engaged with UNA-Russia and WFUNA throughout his life. As a member of the Board of the United Nations Association of Russia and Honorary President of WFUNA, he consistently supported the mission of bringing people closer to the United Nations, strengthening public understanding of multilateral diplomacy, and promoting dialogue among nations, civil society, and young people.
A special place in his life was occupied by the Moscow International Model United Nations. As its long-standing coordinator, he devoted exceptional attention to the education and mentorship of young people. Under his guidance, generations of students learned the values of diplomacy, negotiation, respect for international law, and commitment to the ideals of the United Nations.
On behalf of WFUNA’s Leadership and Membership, we extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, UNA-Russia, MGIMO University, and all those whose lives and work were touched by his wisdom, dedication, and kindness.
We honour his memory by continuing the work to which he devoted his life: building an informed, engaged, and principled civil society in support of the United Nations.
– Dr. Shawn Chen, WFUNA President
– Aziel Goulandris, WFUNA Secretary-General
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