Ms. Astrid Schomaker appointed as the next Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Ms. Astrid Schomaker to become the next Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Astrid brings to the position extensive experience in international relations and negotiations, deep knowledge of the global sustainable development agenda and multilateral environment agreements, and of policymaking on global environmental issues.

Since July 2017, Astrid has successively been the Director for Global Sustainable Development and for Green Diplomacy and Multilateralism at the European Commission’s Environment Department. In these roles, she led the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the integration of biodiversity, pollution and resource efficiency / circularity into partnerships with developing countries, relations with international organizations as well as engagement with G20 countries, amongst others.

Prior to that, Astrid served as Director for environment policy strategy at the European Commission, responsible for economic analysis, sustainable consumption and production, and developing the scientific knowledge base for environment policy and policy integration. She also headed the European Commission’s divisions for marine and freshwater issues as well as chemicals. Since 2015 she has been co-chair of the steering committee of UNEP’s International Resource Panel.

Astrid studied English and history and holds a law degree from Hamburg University and a Master’s Degree in International Legal Cooperation from the Free University of Brussels, Belgium. She is fluent in German, English and French with some knowledge of Italian and Spanish.

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More Information: 

Statement: United Nations Secretary-General

Former Executive Secretaries

The Biodiversity Plan