Ben Knapen

Hubertus Petrus Maria "Ben" Knapen (born 6 January 1951) is a Dutch historian and politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 24 September 2021 to 10 January 2022. A member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), he previously was State Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 2010 to 2012 and parliamentary leader in the Senate from 2019 to 2021.

Career
Knapen was the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the first Rutte cabinet, serving from 14 October 2010 to 5 November 2012. His portfolio comprised European Union matters, as well as international aid. Then he was on the advisory board of OMFIF where he was regularly involved in meetings regarding the financial and monetary system.

Other activities

 * Bilderberg Group, attendee of the 1991 meeting in Baden-Baden
 * African Development Bank (AfDB), Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Governors (2010–2012)

Decorations

 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands: Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau (7 December 2012)
 * 🇳🇴 Norway: Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit (9 September 2021)