Diederik Samsom, a Dutch politician and former leader of the Dutch Labour Party, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to any event. With a background in physics and a strong focus on sustainable energy, Samsom offers insightful perspectives on climate change, renewable energy, and environmental policy. His tenure as leader of the Labour Party and his involvement in shaping policies at both national and European levels provide valuable insights into the workings of government and the political landscape.
Diederik Samsom is the co-architect of the Green Deal, an ambitious plan by the European Union to transform Europe into the first climate-neutral continent with net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

BIOGRAPHY DIEDERIK SAMSOM
Diederik Samsom was born on July 10, 1971. He studied physics at Delft Technical University before working as a Greenpeace activist and campaigner on energy and Climate. Samsom entered politics in 2003, serving as a member of the House of Representatives until 2016. During his tenure, he focused on energy and environmental issues, advocating for renewable energy and climate change mitigation. In 2012, Diederik Samsom became the leader of the Dutch Labour Party, leading the party in the national elections and into a coalition government later that year.

Between 2017 and 2019 Diederik Samsom worked as a consultant in both public and private sector, helping create the Dutch Climate Agreement and providing strategic advice for investors and energy companies. In 2019 he became chief of staff to Executive Vice President Timmermans in the European Commission. He was instrumental in the design and implementation of the European Green Deal as well as other hallmark European policies, such as the Recovey and Resilience Fund to recover the European economies after COVID and the RePowerEU-plan to make Europe independent from Russian gas after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Throughout his career, Samsom has remained dedicated to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development, making significant contributions to both Dutch and European politics.

Professional Experience
Head of Cabinet of European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra  [September 2023 - February 2024]
Head of Cabinet of Executive Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans[[December 2019 - August 2023]
Vice Chair of the Board of Commissioners of EBN NV [March 2018 - November 2019]
Member/chair of the Supervisory board of North Sea Port EV [June 2018 - November 2019]
Chair of the Advisory Board of the Dutch Nuclear Safety Agency [February 2018 - November 2019]
Chair of the negotiation table on the Dutch Climate Agreement [February 2018 - November 2019]
Advisor for Prime Ventures, investing in renewable projects [August 2017 - November 2019]
Chair of the Energy Agreement Drechtsteden [June 2018 - November 2019]
Supervisor of the Sustainability Pact of Eindhoven [January 2019 - November 2019]
Strategic advisor to HVC, Dutch energy and waste company [May 2017 - October 2019]
Leader of the Dutch Labour Party PvdA [March 2012 - December 2016]
Member of Parliament Dutch Labour Party PvdA [January 2003 - December 2016]
CEO Dutch renewable energy utility Echte Energie [May 2002- January 2003]
Campaign director Greenpeace Netherlands [September 1995 - December 2001]

Education
Masters Physics TUDelft with specialization in Nuclear Engineering 1990-1996