Isabelle Durant appointed President of the Governing Board of Friends of Europe

Friends of Europe is pleased to announce that Isabelle Durant has taken up the role of President of the Governing Board as of 1 July 2025. A long-standing and active member of the Board, Isabelle succeeds Thomas Leysen, whom she warmly thanks for his leadership and who will continue to contribute as a member of the Board.

A strong advocate of the European project, Isabelle Durant is a co-founder of the Spinelli Group and brings decades of experience in Belgian and European politics, civil society and international affairs. She has served as Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Deputy Secretary-General and Acting Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Throughout her career, she has championed sustainable development, gender equality and inclusive policymaking – values that are central to Friends of Europe’s mission.

We are delighted to welcome Isabelle in her new role and look forward to the leadership she will bring to our work in shaping a more inclusive, sustainable and forward-looking Europe.