Christian Friis Bach
Christian Friis Bach (born 29 April 1966 in Rødovre) is a Danish politician for the Social Liberal Party. He was elected to the Parliament of Denmark (Folketinget) in 2006. Friis Bach is a former Minister for Development Cooperation of Denmark in the Cabinet of Helle Thorning-Schmidt and resigned on 21 November 2013. On 9 July 2014, Friis Bach was appointed Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE). Prior to this appointment, he was the deputy parliamentary group leader of the Social Liberal Party and the party's spokesperson on foreign affairs.
Political Career
He was Minister for Development Cooperation October 3rd 2011 -November 21st 2013, Member of the Governing Council of the United Nations 2010-2011, Member of Egedal Municipal Council 2010-2011, Member of the Africa Commission 2008-2009 and Initiative taker and member of the management council of the Danish Ethical Trade Initiative 2008-2010. His first major role was as Chairperson of the Danish Association for International Cooperation 1997-2001 and following this he became a Member of the management committee of the International Institute for Sustainable Development 2000-2006. He then became a Member of the presiding committee of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) 2007-2011.
Education
Christian Bach has a PhD in international economics from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University 1992-1996. He has an MSc in agronomics again from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University 1986-1992. He took his Supplementary examination in journalism from the Danish School of Journalism 1991 and gained his Matriculation certificate in Kalundborg in 1985.
Notable Work
Between 2009 and 2014 he was Honorary professor of international economics and development at the University of Copenhagen and then became Special adviser to the EU Commissioner Connie Hedegaard, for the UN Global Sustainability Panel 2010-2011. he was Managing Director of ViewWorld ApS between 2010-2011 and then became the International Manager of DanChurchAid between 2005 and 2010. He was then Senior lecturer in international economics and development economics at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University 1999-2005. He was lecturer in development economics, Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen in 1996-1999 and then Special delegate to the World Bank (International Trade Division) in 1995.
