Polish woman to lead Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) for next 4 years
12.07.2024
Poland’s candidate for the position of ASEF executive director, Ambassador Beata Stoczyńska, was endorsed by the ASEF Board of Governors during the meeting of ASEF member states’ representatives on 11–12 July. Mr Zhang Lei of China was appointed her deputy. The changes in the Foundation’s board are to take place in autumn this year, after the term of the incumbent Foundation’s director, Ambassador Toru Morikawa, has ended.
Ambassador Stoczyńska is an experienced Polish diplomat, whose professional career has been connected with the Asia-Pacific region. She will be the first woman and the first Pole in the Foundation’s history to hold the position of ASEF executive director.
The executive director and deputy executive director are elected for a 4-year term. They are designated in turns from among Asia’s and Europe’s representatives. Board members are appointed by the Board of Governors after the candidatures have been submitted by the European and Asian groups. Within the European group in this year’s elections, Poland’s candidate faced Hungary’s candidate.
ASEF is the only permanent institution operating as part of ASEM (Asia–Europe Meeting). ASEF’s aim is to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between Asia’s and Europe’s populations by implementing projects in seven key areas: culture, economy, education, governance, media, sustainable development, and public health. The Foundation was established in 1997 and it is seated in Singapore. Poland has been its member since 2004.
