Inger Andersen has been appointed director general of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – the world's oldest and largest global environmental organisation.
"It's really amazing that Inger Andersen will lead the IUCN now," the minister for trade and development, Mogens Jensen, commented in a press release.
"The organisation provides an important contribution to the sustainable management of natural biodiversity and resources."
Jensen believes this shows that strong Danish international engagement can help Denmark put its mark on the international development.
From the World Bank to the IUCN
Andersen currently works as the vice president for Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank.
Earlier in her career, she worked in environmental and natural resource management in Sudan and later for the United Nations.
She will begin her new role in January 2015.
Leading authority on sustainability and environment
The IUCN is a leading authority on the environment and sustainable development, which is well-known for its Red List of Threatened Species.
It was founded in 1948 as a global network of environmental organisations and has more than 1,000 employees spread across 45 offices worldwide.
Today, the network unites more than 1,200 member organisations represented by both public and private institutions.
Denmark supports the IUCN with 25 million kroner every year through its development co-operation.
