Chairman-in-Office

Finland holds the OSCE Chairmanship from 1 January to 31 December 2008. The Chairman-in-Office (CiO) is Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Stubb.

The CiO provides the political leadership of the OSCE and oversees the Organization's activities in conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation. He or she is also responsible for the external representation of the OSCE and for OSCE appointments.

Minister Stubb is assisted by his staff and the Secretary General of the OSCE, as well as by his predecessor and successor as CiO, who together form the OSCE Troika.

Personal details

Career:

Alexander Stubb (born 1 April 1968) was appointed Finland's Foreign Minister on 4 April 2008. His previous posts include the following:

Since 2004: Member of the European Parliament (Finnish National Coalition Party/Group of the European People's Party [Christian Democrats] and European Democrats)
2003-04: Counsellor, Finnish Permanent Representation to the EU, Brussels
2001-03: Adviser to the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, and member of the Commission Task Force on the Convention, Brussels
2000-: Professor at the College of Europe, Bruges
1999-2001: Counsellor, Finnish Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels
1997-98: Researcher for the Finnish Academy, London of School of Economics
1997-: Columnist for Forum for Ekonomi och Teknik magazine, Hufvudstadsbladet, Helsingin Sanomat, Financial Times internet pages, Ilta-Sanomat, Nykypaiva, Apu, Blue Wings, Suomen Lehtiyhtyma Oy
1995-97: Adviser, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Helsinki

Education:

1999: Doctor of Philosophy, London School of Economics
1995: Master of Arts, College of Europe, Bruges
1994: Diplome de Langue et Civilisation Francaise, Sorbonne, Paris
1993: Bachelor of Arts, Furman University, USA
1988: Matriculation, Gymnasiet Larkan, Helsinki, Finland
1986: High school diploma, Mainland High School, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA

Minister Stubb is fluent in Finnish, Swedish, English, French and German. He has published nine books, about 30 academic articles on the EU and over 100 columns.

He is married to Suzanne Innes-Stubb and has two children: daughter Emilie (born 27 October 2001) and son Oliver Johan (born 4 April 2004). He lives in Genval, Belgium.