New BIAC Secretary General appointed

The BIAC General Assembly announced today that Bernhard Welschke will assume the position of BIAC Secretary General in April.

He follows Tadahiro Asami who stepped down in December 2012 after a long and successful term at the helm of BIAC in Paris. Bernhard Welschke will be responsible for the work program of BIAC and for serving the needs of BIAC members. Together with the BIAC Board, he will continue and develop the supportive and successful partnership of BIAC with the OECD Secretary General and senior OECD leadership.

“Bernhard Welschke brings a wealth of experience in international policy and business to his new position as Secretary General, BIAC Chair Charles P. Heeter said. “His background in the area of global governance will be of particular value for this assignment. The Board and General Assembly are delighted that he will be joining BIAC. We all look forward to working with him”.

Bernhard Welschke has been involved in the work of the OECD and BIAC for many years. He is currently Managing Director for Global Governance and for business relations with North and Latin America at the Federation of German Industries (BDI). In previous positions he was responsible for trade and business relations with Asia and the Pacific, for European Affairs, and for the Americas, including his assignment as Representative for German Industry and Trade in Washington D.C. From 2000 to 2006 he was a Member of the Economic and Social Committee of the European Union.