Frans Makken

Ambassador (Ret.)

Chair, NL Governance Committee

Appointed 3 Mar 2021

Frans Makken worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands for more than 25 years, holding numerous senior roles in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. This included serving as Dutch Representative to the Palestinian Authority, as Ambassador to Rwanda and Burundi and as Ambassador to Kenya, Somalia and Seychelles, as well as Permanent Representative to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). He holds a Master’s Degree in international economic relations from the University of Groningen. Frans retired from the Foreign Ministry in 2020.

Stories by the Author

Members of the Ukrainian military walk through debris and destroyed Russian military vehicles on a street on April 06, 2022 in Bucha, Ukraine.

Members of the Ukrainian military walk through debris and destroyed Russian military vehicles on a street on April 06, 2022 in Bucha, Ukraine. © Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Restoring Justice for Ukraine

"This is a great achievement for the entire international community.”

3 Apr 24

Palestinians walk to Khan Younis December 10, 2001 after crossing a checkpoint into an Israeli settled area in the Gaza strip. A crane on the Israeli side builds up a wall around the settlement. In the background are buildings in Khan Younis that Israeli forces have fired into.

Palestinians walk to Khan Younis December 10, 2001 after crossing a checkpoint into an Israeli settled area in the Gaza strip. A crane on the Israeli side builds up a wall around the settlement. In the background are buildings in Khan Younis that Israeli forces have fired into. © Roger Lemoyne/Getty Images

How Flowers and Fruit Failed to Build a State

Former diplomat looks back at decades of frustrated attempts to support the two-state solution.

1 Nov 23

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