Astrid Schomaker was appointed Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in April 2024 by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. In this role, she leads global efforts to address one of humanity’s greatest challenges: the loss of biodiversity.
A Career in Diplomacy and Environmental Leadership
Before joining the CBD, Astrid Schomaker served at the European Commission in Brussels, where she played a central role in international environmental diplomacy. As Director for Green Diplomacy and Multilateralism, she worked to strengthen international environmental governance and promote global transitions to resource-efficient, low-emission, and nature-positive economies.
She also served as Director for Global Sustainable Development in the Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment. In that role, she oversaw international partnerships, relations with EU institutions, and the implementation of the EU’s 7th Environment Action Programme. Over the years, she also managed portfolios on marine and water policy, chemicals, trade, and multilateral agreements.
Astrid Schomaker began her career with the European Commission in 1992, first focusing on EU–U.S. relations, then regulatory cooperation with Japan, and later relations with the Andean Community. She transitioned to environmental policy in 2004, steadily advancing through senior roles. She studied English, history, and law in Hamburg and Norwich and holds a master’s degree in international legal cooperation from the Free University of Brussels.
The Convention on Biological Diversity
The CBD was created at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and now includes 196 parties. Its mission is to conserve biodiversity, promote the sustainable use of natural resources, and ensure equitable benefit-sharing from genetic resources. The treaty underpins the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, which sets targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. These include protecting 30 percent of the planet’s land and sea, restoring degraded ecosystems, and reducing harmful subsidies.
As Executive Secretary, Astrid Schomaker is tasked with ensuring that governments, the private sector, and civil society translate these commitments into action.
The Road to COP17 in Armenia
The upcoming 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) in Yerevan, Armenia, will be a decisive test for the CBD. Governments will take stock of progress toward the Kunming-Montreal goals and confront the reality that global efforts remain behind schedule. The outcomes in Armenia will influence investment, accountability, and political momentum for the rest of the decade.
Scientists warn that one million species face extinction, placing food security, water supplies, and climate stability at risk. COP17 is expected to set the tone for whether the international community can close the gap between commitments and measurable results.
A Leader for a Critical Decade
Astrid Schomaker’s leadership comes at a time when the biodiversity agenda is closely tied to climate action and sustainable development. With her long experience in diplomacy and international environmental governance, she is positioned to guide the global community through one of the most consequential decades for the future of life on Earth.
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