Mogens Lykketoft is a leading figure in European politics and the international community. In 2015, he began his Presidency of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, securing the support of every member state for the Sustainable Development Goals. He was also instrumental at the COP21 climate negotiations, leading the world towards The Paris Agreement with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and French President François Hollande. In his home country of Denmark, he has served in various senior roles including Speaker of Parliament (2011-2015), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2000-2001), Minister of Finance (1993-2000). As Chairman of the Board of Energinet, he is leading Denmark’s green transition to renewable energy resources. Lykketoft first visited China in late 1978 when reform and opening-up was announced, and weeks before the normalization of U.S.-China diplomatic ties.