08/07/2016 - Sweden’s Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Director General of the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (Sida), was today appointed as the new Chair of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee.

 

Ms Petri Gornitzka replaces outgoing DAC Chair Erik Solheim, who recently became Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. She will start her new role on a part time basis from 11 July 2016 and take up full-time duties in the autumn.

 

“Ms Petri Gornitzka brings the DAC a wealth of experience in international development, including in creating public-private partnerships to deliver solutions on the ground,” said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría. “At a time when the development landscape is changing radically I am confident she will make the DAC an even more proactive force in improving development effectivenes, mobilising more private investment and enhancing the OECD's development agenda, including the SDG Action Plan."

 

During her tenure at Sida, Ms Petri Gornitzka contributed to maintaining Sweden as one of the most generous providers of development assistance of the 28 DAC member countries, with a special focus on the neediest countries.

 

Before joining Sida in 2011, Ms Petri Gornitzka was Secretary-General of the International Save the Children Alliance. From 2003-2008 she was Secretary-General and CEO of Save the Children Sweden. Prior to that, she was Under Secretary-General and Communications Director of the Swedish Red Cross. She has also held positions within the World Economic Forum and is a member of the 2030 Water Resources Group Governing Council.

 

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