Speakers

Maria van der Hoeven took over as IEA Executive Director in September 2011. Previously, she served as Minister of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands from 2007-2010, during which she gained valuable understanding of a broad range of energy-related issues in both OECD and non-OECD countries. Prior to becoming Minister of Economic Affairs, Maria van der Hoeven was Minister of Education, Culture and Science until 2007.

She was an elected member of the Netherlands House of Representatives of the States- General from 1991-2002. Until 1987 she headed the Adult Commercial Vocational Training Centre in Maastricht, and afterwards served as the head of the Limburg Technology Centre until 1991.

Maria van der Hoeven played an active role in European energy policy development with particular focus on issues such as market liberalisation and energy security. She also participated actively in both the Jeddah and London summits and chaired the IEA ministerial meeting in 2009.