Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
🌍 Global Diplomat | Strategic Thinker | Bridging Governance, Crisis, and Influence | Public Service & International Advisory Let’s drive forward the transformations the world needs - quietly, deeply and strategically. As a seasoned global diplomat and policy advisor, I bring over 30 years of international experience across diplomacy, governance, economic strategy, and multilateral development. From Kabul to Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh to Manila or London, Pristina Lubumbashi or Bamako, I’ve served in leadership roles where geopolitical complexity, cultural nuance and institutional transformation converge. My career spans high-level ambassadorial/Head of Mission assignments in the Gulf region, Southeast Asia (notably in ASEAN countries) and Europe, alongside multilateral leadership at the Asian Development Bank and senior roles in the Belgian Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs. I’ve helped shape EU–Middle East relations, negotiated privilege agreements and immunities, contributed to peacebuilding in fragile environments, and supported public-private partnerships aligned with initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. I thrive at the intersection of diplomacy, foresight and public good where solutions are crafted quietly, across cultures and institutions, to serve long-term resilience and trust. 🔹 Expertise includes: – Strategic Diplomacy & Crisis Management – Institutional Governance & Public Policy – EU–Gulf & EU–ASEAN Engagement – International Finance & Sustainable Development – Protocol, Privileges & International Legal Affairs – Cross-Cultural Leadership & Ethical Influence. Currently serving as Belgium’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Republic of Yemen, I remain open for a foreseable future to meaningful connections and future opportunities to contribute through advisory missions, strategic boards, or initiatives that bridge diplomacy and impact. "True leadership is not about taking the stage, but about creating spaces where trust, clarity, and purpose can emerge." I value integrity, depth and the silent strength of those who build bridges rather than walls. If your work resonates with international cooperation, cultural dialogue and the art of durable transformation, I would be glad to connect.
. The P1 Department ensures the provisions laid down by the Vienna Convention of 18 April 1961 on Diplomatic Relations - primarily with regard to status, tax privileges and jurisdictional immunities - which are applied to diplomatic missions and their staff. . It also ensures the application of the provisions laid down by the Vienna Convention of 24 April 1963 on Consular Relations (career and honorary consulates), namely the privileges and immunities relating to consulates and their staff. . Finally, the Department plays a role in drafting and negotiating the headquarters agreements (bilateral and multinational agreements) determining the status of the international organisations due to be established in Belgium and ensure the implementation of these agreements. . (Co)Chairing - with the Directeur general, FPS Employment & Social Inspection - the Commission of Good Offices (mainly related to litigations concerning local staff)
Board member, representing Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain & Switzerland. Based in Manila, the ADB is a multilateral development bank consisting of 67 member nations. For three years, I represented Belgium & our Constituency Members as one of twelve voting members on the ADB Board of Directors. I helped to institute major structural and financial reforms throughout the organization, overseeing the flow of approximately $7 billion USD in annual loans and investments throughout the region. In this capacity, I represented Belgium, our Constituency Members & the ADB extensively throughout Northern, Southern and Central Asia to advocate sustainable development, to expand regional cooperation & trade, promote financial cooperation and increase private sector lending and financing.
Preparation of "Lisbon Report"; Coordinating, supervising & writing report for European Commission on "Risk Capital in Belgium"; EMU follow-up; speeches writing; etc.
Economist, Attaché of Finance International & European Economic & Financial Questions
Executive Director's Advisor Board of Directors Representing Belgium, France, Italy, Spain & Switzerland