On 7 May 2024, Dace Melbārde is taking up the post of Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She is joining the team of Baiba Braže, Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, having completed her duties of office under the current term of the European Parliament, where she was elected to serve in the 2019 European election.
“I am deeply honoured to accept an invitation from Foreign Minister Baiba Braže to join her office. I am aware that, in the current geopolitical situation, good, constructive intergovernmental relations and international solidarity are crucial for the restoration of peace and security in Europe and the world as a whole. I hope that my expertise in intercultural communication and experience in international organisations, notably, in the European Parliament Special Committee on foreign interference in EU democratic processes and in the Subcommittee on Security and Defence, will help Latvia play an active role both in shaping the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and in addressing other bilateral and multilateral international issues of importance to our country,” Dace Melbārde stated.
Dace Melbārde is a long-time Minister of Culture of the Republic of Latvia (2013–2019). Prior to that, she was Director of the Latvian National Cultural Centre (2011–2013) and Country Manager of the British Council Latvia, (2009–2011), as well as serving for a number of years at the National Commission of Latvia for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as President of the Commission (2013–2019) and Secretary-General (1999–2004).
Dace Melbārde holds a Master’s degree in Public Management from the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Latvia. She has earned her Master’s degree in Theory and Management of Culture from the Latvian Academy of Culture and a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Latvia. Dace Melbārde is currently doing doctoral research at the Latvian Academy of Culture.
Dace Melbārde received the Honorary Award of the World Association of Free Latvians Cultural Fund in 2017. In 2013, she was awarded the Order of the Three Stars, Third Class, and a Cabinet of Ministers Certificate of Merit.