Mr. Vander Ghinst is currently the Head of the Global Partners and Contact Countries Section at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels. Mr. Vander Ghinst joined NATO in 2001 and has contributed to the development of the various partnership frameworks beyond the Euro-Atlantic area starting with the Middle East and the Gulf region. Since 2007, Mr. Vander Ghinst has been steering the development of NATO’s new relationships with partners across the Globe and other emerging powers. Prior to this position, he worked for various international organisations notably the WEU (1999-2001) and the OSCE in Bosnia Herzegovina (1995-97). He has also served as the political advisor to the Foreign Affairs Committee to the Federal Parliament (1996-1998). Mr. Vander Ghinst has also worked during the war in Bosnia Herzegovina for various NGOs. Mr Vander Ghinst was educated at Brussels University where he graduated with a B.A. in Contemporary History and an MBA in political science/International relations from the Free Brussels University.