Ambassador Paul Bekkers

Member of the High-Level Council

Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief; former Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations and WTO in Geneva

Ambassador Paul Bekkers is a Dutch diplomat and international affairs specialist with extensive experience across international relations, including peace and security, human rights, economic affairs, development cooperation, sustainable trade, environmental affairs, and arts and culture.

From 2021 to 2025, Ambassador Bekkers served as the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and other international organisations in Geneva. His work covered a broad range of fields including labour relations, health, climate, water, and faith-related issues. He also served as President of the UN Trade and Development Board.

Prior to his appointment in Geneva, Ambassador Bekkers was the Dutch Special Envoy for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), and headed both the COVID-19 Development Cooperation Taskforce and the Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) Taskforce. From 2016 to 2020, he served at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna as Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General.

Before joining the OSCE, he served as Dutch Ambassador to Poland and Belarus (2013–2016) and to Malaysia (2009–2013). From 2005 to 2009, Ambassador Bekkers was Director of the Health, Gender and Civil Society Department at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while simultaneously serving as Special Ambassador for HIV/AIDS. Earlier in his career, he held positions in Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, and Türkiye, as well as at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague.

Ambassador Bekkers holds a degree in law and studied economics and history. He is currently serving as Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief.