Permanent Representative Paul Bekkers has extensive work experience in various areas of international relations, including peace and security, human rights, economic affairs, development cooperation, sustainable trade, environmental affairs, arts and culture.

Before coming to Geneva, Ambassador Bekkers was the Netherlands’ Special Envoy for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), and leading the Corona Taskforce, as well as the Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) Taskforce. From 2016-2020 Ambassador Bekkers was working for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which is based in Vienna, as the Chief of Staff and Deputy Head of the Secretariat. Before joining the OSCE he served as Ambassador of the Netherlands to Poland and Belarus from 2013–2016, and to Malaysia from 2009-2013. Ambassador Bekkers was Director for Health, Gender and Civil Society at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at the same time Special Ambassador for HIV/AIDS from 2005-2009.

Earlier in his career he served in Ghana, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), South-Africa and Turkey, and in several positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hague. Ambassador Bekkers has a master’s degree in law and studied economics and history. At present, he studies spirituality and science.

He is married to Agneta Linssen and they have three children, two sons and a daughter.