Eckart Woertz New Director of the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies

Hamburg, 1 October 2019 – The GIGA Board of Trustees has, following an international selection procedure, appointed Eckart Woertz the new director of the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies, effective immediately. As part of his joint appointment with the University of Hamburg, he will also serve there as Professor of Contemporary History and Politics of the Middle East within the Faculty of Humanities.

In Eckart Woertz, the GIGA is welcoming into its ranks a renowned expert on the political economy of the Middle East and North Africa, energy issues, and on food security. His presence and knowledge will strengthen in particular the Research Programmes “Peace and Security” and “Growth and Development.” Woertz held positions at the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB), Sciences Po in Paris, Princeton University and the Gulf Research Center in Dubai.

The new director takes over the management of the regional institute from Dr. André Bank. The latter had been the acting director of the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies since October 2018, after taking over from the retiring – following years of successful and loyal service to the GIGA – Prof. Dr. Henner Fürtig. The president of the GIGA, Prof. Dr. Amrita Narlikar, and the whole executive board are looking forward to working with Prof. Dr. Eckart Woertz, and express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Bank for his outstanding stewardship.

The GIGA executive board brings together experts on Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as on global developments. Together they steer the GIGA as a whole.

The GIGA Executive Board

Prof. Dr. Amrita Narlikar President of the GIGA Expertise: international trade, trade disputes and WTO reform, multilateral negotiations, geoeconomics and global governance, emerging powers (especially India)

Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner Vice President of the GIGA, Director of the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies Expertise: The Korean conflict, Japan, New Zealand, foreign policy think tanks, comparative area studies

Prof. Dr. Matthias Basedau Director of the GIGA Institute for African Affairs Expertise: ethnic, religious, and resource conflicts, political institutions, parties and democratisation (especially in sub-Saharan Africa)

Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach Acting Director of the GIGA Institute for Latin American Studies Expertise: post-war societies, violence and social change as well as the role therein of youth (particularly in Colombia and Central America), Latin America’s security sector reform

Prof. Dr. Eckart Woertz New since October 2019: Director of the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies Expertise: political economy of the Middle East and North Africa, energy issues, food security

Dr. Peter Peetz Head of Finances and Administration at the GIGA Contacts: Julia Kramer Chief Officer to the President Tel.: +49 (0)40 - 42825-540 [email protected]

Verena Schweiger Head of Communications Department Tel.: +49 (0)40 - 42825-770 [email protected]