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.