Bert Koenders

Mr Koenders is Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands since 17 October 2014. With over 25 years of experience in national politics, international affairs and development, he served as Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) as well as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI).

As Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation (2007-2010), Mr. Koenders was involved in integrated peace support initiatives in Afghanistan, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan.  He also served as a member of the Netherlands House of Representatives (1997-2007).

Mr. Koenders founded the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank/International Monetary Fund and was President of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly.  He also served with the European Commission and the United Nations in Mozambique, and was Foreign Policy Adviser to several Dutch Members of Parliament.

A graduate of the Free University of Amsterdam, Mr. Koenders holds a master’s degree in international economics and African studies from Johns Hopkins University and was Visiting Professor for Conflict Management at Johns Hopkins University in Bologna (2000-2002).