Keynote Speaker

Frank-Walter Steinmeier is the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. He is also Vice Chairman of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD).

Prior to becoming Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2005, Steinmeier served as Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's Chief of Staff.

Steinmeier also served as Undersecretary of State in the Federal Chancellery and Commissioner for the Federal Intelligence Services from 1998-1999. Before, he was State Secretary and Chief of Staff of Lower Saxony's Minister-President Schröder from 1996-1998.

Minister Steinmeier studied Law and Political Science at Justus Liebig University in Gießen, and earned a doctorate in law. He is married and has one daughter.