Acting Chairman Helle Bechgaard is very pleased to announce that Lene Espersen will become the new Chairman of Baltic Development Forum on 3 March 2014. Lene Espersen is Fmr. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Justice of Denmark, and MP of the Conservative Party.
“I am very pleased that Lene Espersen has accepted to join BDF. Lene Espersen has exactly the background and international experience that BDF needs to carry out its role as a high-level networking organisation and international think-tank in the Baltic Sea Region. The board and the secretariat are looking forward to working with Lene Espersen”, Mrs. Bechgaard says.
“I am very much looking forward to joining Baltic Development Forum,” Lene Espersen says. “Knowing former BDF Chairman Hans Skov Christensen and Uffe Ellemann-Jensen very well, I have followed the work of BDF from the sidelines. I fully share their dedication to boost growth and competitiveness through joint public-private initiatives and cooperation between all countries around the Baltic Sea.”
“As former Minister, I have witnessed closely how globalization has progressed. Local political and economic decisions, international trends, policies and markets frame quickly our political and economic options to choose from. Therefore small and open economies have to be smart and innovative to prosper and attract the attention of investors and companies, especially in the areas where growth potential in this region is strong such as energy, transport, environment and ICT.”
“I look forward to meeting the many regional stakeholders that are part of BDF’s network, not least our loyal sponsors and partners. I will listen carefully to all of them. Their support is vital for BDF to remain agenda-setting and forward looking. I will do my best to ensure that the next BDF Summit in Turku in June becomes both a Finnish and international event. I look forward to seeing all our friends and partners in Turku”, says Lene Espersen.
Press Release (Download PDF)
Lene Espersen CV (PDF)
For more information, please contact:
Hans Brask, Director of Baltic Development Forum, hb@bdforum.org