Chairman of the Munich Security Conference (until February 2025), Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations (2017-2021), Foreign and Security Policy Advisor to Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel (2005-2017) ... Read more
Christoph Heusgen is a diplomat and was the Chairman of the Munich Security Conference until February 2025. For more than a decade, he was the foreign and security policy advisor to Angela Merkel, whom he accompanied on all trips abroad. His close ties with America and his comprehensive concept of security have shaped his career over the past decades. Christoph Heusgen is considered to be very well networked internationally, right up to the highest levels.
Heusgen (*1955) joined the Foreign Service in 1980 after studying and earning a doctorate in economics at St. Gallen, Georgia Southern University and the Sorbonne in Paris. Initially, he held a position at the Consulate General in Chicago, then worked at the Embassy in Paris. From 1988 to 1990 he is personal assistant to Rainer Barzel, the coordinator for Franco-German cooperation, and then deputy head of unit in the EU policy unit. From 1993 to 1997, Heusgen worked under Thomas Matussek as deputy head in the ministerial office of Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel, after which he became head of the Europe sub-department as a ministerial assistant. From 1999 to 2005, Heusgen was Head of Office and Head of the Political Staff of Javier Solana, then High Representative for the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, in the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union in Brussels.
From November 2005, as Ministerial Director, he headed Department 2, which is responsible for foreign policy in the Federal Chancellery, making him the foreign and security policy advisor to Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose close confidant he is considered to be. In July 2017, Heusgen became Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations. On 30 June 2021, Heusgen left the Foreign Service and succeeded Wolfgang Ischinger as Chairman of the Munich Security Conference at the beginning of 2022.
Christoph Heusgen is an honorary professor at the University of St. Gallen and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Munich Security Conference.
He has received numerous awards for his work. He has been a recipient of the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold for services to the Republic of Austria since 2006, a Grand Officer of the Portuguese Order of Merit since 2009, and in 2015 he received the Cross of Honour of the German Armed Forces in Gold.
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You can book Christoph Heusgen through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Christoph's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Christoph Heusgen's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Christoph tailored to your event.
Christoph Heusgen speaks on Europe, Geopolitics, Government & Politics. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Christoph to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Christoph Heusgen for events worldwide, subject to Christoph's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Christoph Heusgen is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Christoph can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Christoph Heusgen on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Christoph can offer.
Christoph Heusgen delivers keynotes in English, German. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Christoph Heusgen's areas of expertise include Europe, Geopolitics, Government & Politics. To get a clear sense of Christoph's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Christoph Heusgen can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Europe, Geopolitics, Government & Politics is relevant. Details of Christoph's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Christoph Heusgen is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Christoph Heusgen, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Christoph's current availability for your dates.