Poul Nielson
{{short description|Danish politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Poul Nielson
| image = 2016-08-29 BSPC Riga Poul Nielson by Olaf Kosinsky-13.jpg
| office = European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid
| president = Romano Prodi
| term_start = 16 September 1999
| term_end = 21 November 2004
| predecessor = João de Deus Pinheiro
| successor = Louis Michel
| office1 = Minister of Development Cooperation
| termstart1 = 27 September 1994
| term_end1 = 10 July 1999
| predecessor1 = Helle Degn
| successor1 = Jan Trøjborg
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1943|4|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = Copenhagen, Denmark
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Social Democrats
| education = Aarhus University
| caption = Nielson in 2016
}}
Poul Nielson (born 11 April 1943) is a Danish politician from the Social Democrats who has held the posts as Energy Minister and Minister of Development Cooperation, and served as European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid from 1999 until 2004.
Early life and education
Born in Copenhagen, Nielson graduated in political science from Aarhus University in 1972.[https://www.politico.eu/article/man-with-a-mission/ Man with a mission] European Voice, 19 April 2000.
Political career
During his long career in Danish politics, Nielson served as Energy Minister in the fourth and fifth cabinets of Prime Minister Anker Jørgensen from 26 October 1979 to 10 September 1982, and as Minister for Development Cooperation in the Cabinet of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen II, III, and IV from 27 September 1994 to 10 July 1999. By the time he left office, he was the EU's longest-serving development minister.[https://www.politico.eu/article/poul-nielson/ Poul Nielson] European Voice, 1 September 1999. In 1999, he was also the EU's official candidate for leading the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the post instead went to Mark Malloch Brown.Thalif Deen (15 April 1999), [http://www.ipsnews.net/1999/04/politics-third-world-wants-say-in-selecting-undp-boss/ Third World Wants Say in Selecting UNDP Boss] Inter Press Service (IPS).[https://www.politico.eu/article/man-with-a-mission/ Man with a mission] European Voice, 19 April 2000.
On 17 September 1999 Nielson became European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid when the Prodi Commission took office.Geoff Winestock (9 July 1999), [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB931469224244657023 Prodi to Name New Team For European Commission] Wall Street Journal. Early in his tenure, the EU signed the Cotonou Agreement with its 71 partners from the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) which put relations between Europe and its former colonies on a new footing for the following 20 years.[https://www.politico.eu/article/man-with-a-mission/ Man with a mission] European Voice, 19 April 2000.
In 2002, Nielson and Margot Wallström led the European Commission's team at the World Summit on Sustainable Development.Martin Banks (18 September 2002), [https://www.politico.eu/article/cox-attacks-nielsons-summit-antics/ Cox attacks Nielson's summit ‘antics’] European Voice. In response to what later became known as the 'decency gap' left by US President George W. Bush's controversial refusal to release funds already approved by Congress, Nielson also led efforts for the EU to pledge additional support for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 2004.Karen Carstens (28 April 2004), [https://www.politico.eu/article/abandoned-un-population-policies-to-get-cash-boost/ Abandoned UN population policies to get cash boost] European Voice.
Life after politics
In April 2015, Nielson was asked to conduct a strategic review of the labour market on behalf of the Nordic Council.{{cite web|url=http://www.norden.org/en/news-and-events/news/top-politician-to-review-nordic-labour-market|title=Top politician to review Nordic labour market|date=24 April 2015|website=Norden.org|accessdate=31 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nordiclabourjournal.org/artikler/portrett/portrait-2015/article.2015-06-17.4533651147/|title=Former EU Commissioner Poul Nielson: The Nordic region plays a role – Nordic Labour Journal|last=lars|website=Nordiclabourjournal.org|accessdate=31 December 2017}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070310200748/http://www.ft.dk/BAGGRUND/Biografier/Poul_Nielson.htm CV] (in Danish) – From Folketinget.
{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{succession box|
title=Energy Minister|
before=New office|
years=26 October 1979 – 10 September 1982|
after=Knud Enggaard
}}
{{succession box|
title=Minister for Development Cooperation|
before=Helle Degn|
years=27 September 1994 – 10 July 1999|
after=Jan Trøjborg
}}
{{succession box|
title=European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid|
before=New office|
years=17 September 1999 – 22 November 2004
(together with Joe Borg from 1 May 2004)|
after=Louis Michel
}}
{{succession box|
title=Danish European Commissioner|
before=Ritt Bjerregaard|
years=17 September 1999 – 22 November 2004|
after=Mariann Fischer Boel
}}
{{s-end}}
{{European Commissioners from Denmark}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nielson, Poul}}
Category:Danish European commissioners