ASEF WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) welcomes the arrival of Ambassador Beata STOCZYŃSKA as the new Executive Director on 14 October 2024. This marks a significant milestone as Ambassador STOCZYŃSKA becomes ASEF’s first female Executive Director and its first Executive Director from Poland. ASEF is also pleased to welcome Mr ZHANG Lei from China as the new Deputy Executive Director, who took up post on 30 September 2024.

Executive Director, Ambassador Beata STOCZYŃSKA

Ambassador STOCZYŃSKA has a distinguished career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. She brings to ASEF invaluable international experience, proven managerial skills and broad networks of contacts. Ambassador STOCZYŃSKA has pledged to “navigate the organisation through these opportunity-rich yet uncertain times, steering it in a respectful, fair and sustainable manner.” She strongly supports ASEF’s 3-year strategic plan (2023-2026) and sees great potential in enhanced intellectual exchange, education and technological cooperation.

Deputy Executive Director, Mr ZHANG Lei

Mr ZHANG has served in different departments of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and has extensive experience in multilateral affairs. Prior to his appointment at ASEF, he was Counsellor at the Department of International Economic Affairs. Mr ZHANG has also been posted to several overseas missions, including the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations in New York, as well as the Chinese Embassies in Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Read the full Press Release here.

The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) is the only permanent institution of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). ASEF was established by ASEM Foreign Ministers in 1997 to complement the ASEM process by promoting cooperation between Asia and Europe. ASEF fosters understanding, strengthens relationships, and enables collaboration across seven key areas: Culture, Education, Governance, Economy, Public Health, Media, and Sustainable Development. Based in Singapore, ASEF’s initiatives reach all ASEM partner countries, facilitating dialogue and exchanges that support innovative solutions for shared global challenges.