Bernd Mützelburg, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan

Mützelburg has been involved in the region for many years. As Head of the Federal Foreign Office and Director General for Global Issues at the United Nations, he was highly involved in the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, and as German Ambassador to India from 2006-2009, he gained a still greater understanding of the region.

Mützelburg has always been a staunch supporter of Germany's engagement in Afghanistan. During the recent Afghan elections he flew to Afghanistan to help oversee the elections and meet with Karzai regarding Germany’s involvement. He stated, "Germany believes credible, free and safe general elections are vital in order to consolidate democracy in Afghanistan." Germany, he confirmed, will do all it can to foster stability and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

In addition to his responsibilities in Afghanistan, one of his major policy goals is to secure Germany permanent membership in the UN Security Council.

Mützelburg began his career in the foreign service in 1972. Afterwards he held positions overseas at the German Embassy in Jamaica, and the Permanent Mission to the UN in New York. He was appointed Ambassador to Kenya in 1991, Ambassador to Estonia in 1995, and Deputy Director General of the Directorate of Foreign and Security Policy under former chancellor Gerhard Schröder in 1999, later becoming Director General in 2002.

Mützelburg was born in Mainz in 1944 and studied law in Mainz, Marburg, and Boston where he graduated with a M.A. in 1974. He is married and has one son and one daughter.