Home Ambassador Profiles Iceland His Excellency Geir H. Haarde

His Excellency Geir H. Haarde

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 Geir H. Haarde became ambassador of Iceland to the United States on Feb. 23, 2015. Ambassador Haarde was prime minister of Iceland from 2006 to 2009, the country’s minister for foreign affairs from 2005 to 2006 and its minister of finance from 1998 to 2005. Since 2009, he has worked as independent consultant and speaker. Ambassador Haarde previously served as a long-time member of the Icelandic parliament, the Althingi (1987-2009); chairman (2005-09) and vice chairman (1999-2005) of the Independence Party; member of the International Monetary and Financial Committee of the International Monetary Fund (2002-04); and chairman of the Independence Party’s Parliamentary Group (1991-98). Other postings include chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Althingi (1995-98); president of the Nordic Council (1995); chairman of the Nordic Council’s Conservative Party (1995-97); chairman of the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (1995-98); and chairman of the Organizing Committee of the World Championship in Team Handball in Iceland (1995). Ambassador Haarde was also political advisor to the minister of finance (1983-87) and an economist with the Central Bank of Iceland (1977-83).

He holds a bachelor’s magna cum laude in economics from Brandeis University, a master’s in economics from the University of Minnesota and a master’s with distinction in international relations from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Born in 1951, Ambassador Haarde is married to Inga Jona Thordardottir and has five children.

 

Contact Information

Embassy of Iceland
2900 K. St. NW
Suites 508/509
Washington, DC 20007

Phone: (202) 265-6653
Fax: (202) 265-6656

Email: icemb.wash@utn.stjr.is
Website: http://www.iceland.org/us/