New Sida head a top international recruitment
Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson presented Sida's new Director-General Anders Nordström as "a top international recruitment" at a press conference at Rosenbad today.
Gunilla Carlsson and Anders Nordström at today's press conference at Rosenbad. Photo: Simon Hoff, Ministry for Foreign Affairs
"He has a very well documented ability to lead complex international organisations and he is the person best suited to lead Sida now that the Government is reviewing Swedish development cooperation," says Ms Carlsson.
Anders Nordström's most recent post was Assistant Director-General at the World Health Organisation, WHO. He will take up his post as Sida's Director-General on 28 January 2008.
"Sweden does not make full use of its potential internationally. We can be more visible and Sweden has an enormous amount of credibility," says Mr Nordström.
"Sweden has a very important role in countries locally as well as an important role globally."
Brings along a results-based culture
At today's press conference Mr Nordström also talked about the importance of development assistance being linked to results and that it is always important to conduct a debate on what development assistance is to accomplish. Equally important is to discuss where the money is to go. In his opinion there is sometimes an apparent lack of a clear direction at Sida, and spoke at great length about the need for a clear organisational structure.
"From my time at the WHO, I bring with me a results-based culture. It is a question of having an organisational structure that is linked to discussion at the political level," says Mr Nordström, who also has experience of field work.
Ms Carlsson emphasised the importance of the new development policy being endorsed by Sida and she is therefore pleased to welcome Anders Nordström to his new position.
"Congratulations on landing one of Sweden's most important jobs," the minister said.
