Andris Piebalgs has served the European Union as Commissioner for Energy (2004-2009) and then as Development Commissioner (2010-2014). Under his leadership, a new European Commission development policy – ‘Agenda for change’ – was adopted with a prominent focus on nutrition. He also served on the High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda (2012-2013), an advisory board established by UN Secretary General to develop a new global development agenda. He was a key figure in the formation of the EU’s sustainable energy policies. 

Mr. Piebalgs has been a prominent Latvian politician and diplomat, and was instrumental in Latvia’s accession to the EU. He is a Professor at the European University Institute, and is the Chairman of the Board of Appeal of the Agency of the Cooperation of Energy Regulators. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Friends of Europe, and a Board member of the Friends of the Global Fund Europe. He is a graduate in physics from the University of Latvia.