Carl Bildt

Carl Bildt served as both prime minister and foreign minister of Sweden. Under his leadership, the government initiated major liberal economic reforms and negotiated Sweden’s accession to the EU. 

As Prime Minister of Sweden from 1991 to 1994, Bildt led the government that negotiated and signed Sweden’s accession to the European Union, reformed and liberalised the Swedish economy, and modernised its welfare system. Following his time in office, Bildt played a prominent international role as a mediator in the Balkans on behalf of both the European Union and the United Nations. As Foreign Minister, he was a leading voice in shaping the EU’s “Eastern Partnership” and advancing engagement in the Middle East. 

An advocate for digital governance and innovation, Bildt chaired the Global Commission on Internet Governance, advised ICANN, and co-authored the Atlantic Council study Building a Transatlantic Digital Marketplace. Bildt is a contributing columnist to Washington Post as well as monthly columnist for Project Syndicate. 

Beyond government, Bildt has been deeply involved in global policy and strategic affairs. He has served on the boards of the Centre for European Reform, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and the European Policy Centre, as well as the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. He currently serves as Co-Chair on the European Council on Foreign Relations and as one of the Senior Advisors to the Wallenberg Foundations in Sweden.