Maria van der Hoeven, a former Dutch minister and ex-head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), has been elected Chair of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Board for the 2026 to 2029 term.
Members confirmed her at the EITI Members’ Meeting on Tuesday. She succeeds Rt Hon. Helen Clark, who has chaired the Board since 2019.
Van der Hoeven brings extensive experience in energy, public policy and multilateral cooperation.
She previously served as Minister of Education, Culture and Science and Minister of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands, and as Executive Director of the International Energy Agency.
Her appointment marks a leadership transition for the EITI at a time of significant change in the global energy and natural resource landscape.
Clark said it had been a privilege to serve as Chair and to work with governments, companies and civil society from around the world.
“Transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources have never been more important. I am proud of what the EITI community has achieved together, and I am confident that the organisation is well positioned to meet the challenges ahead. I wish Maria van der Hoeven all the best in her new role,” she said.
EITI Executive Director Mark Robinson thanked Clark for what he called principled and committed leadership during a period of profound change in the natural resource sector, saying her contribution to transparency, accountability and dialogue had been invaluable.
“I am also delighted to welcome Maria as our new Board Chair. Her experience in energy policy and industry will bring an important perspective as the EITI continues to evolve and support countries as they navigate the energy transition and the changing geopolitical environment,” he said.
Van der Hoeven said she was honoured by the election and looked forward to building on the foundations laid by Clark, the EITI International Secretariat and the wider EITI community.
“The world’s energy and critical mineral systems are undergoing profound transformation, making transparency, accountability and inclusive dialogue more important than ever. I look forward to bringing my experience of working across stakeholder groups including in government, business and the non-profit sector, as I work with EITI countries, companies and civil society to ensure that natural resources contribute to shared prosperity,” she said.
As Chair, she will lead a newly elected EITI Board for the 2026 to 2029 term. The Board brings together representatives of governments, companies and civil society to oversee the organisation’s strategic direction and the implementation of the EITI Standard.
The new Board takes office as the EITI community gathers in Brussels for the 2026 EITI Global Conference, themed “Transparency for shared prosperity.”
The conference will consider how transparency and multi-stakeholder dialogue can help countries respond to a rapidly changing global context and ensure that natural resources deliver lasting benefits for citizens.
