Ambassador, Permanent Representative Erica Schouten brings extensive experience across the full spectrum of international relations, including political affairs, peace and security, human rights, economic affairs and development cooperation.

Before her appointment in Geneva, she served as the Netherlands’ Special Envoy for Ukraine. From 2022-2024 she was Deputy Director-General for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague, and from 2019-2022 she was Director for Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia.

Between 2016-2019 Erica Schouten was Ambassador of the Netherlands to Australia and 4 Pacific island states, and based in Canberra. Prior to that, she served as Deputy Permanent Representative to the NATO in Brussels (2012-2016), and as Deputy Head of Mission at the Netherlands' Embassy to Poland in Warsaw (2010-2012).

Earlier postings include Head of the Security and Defence Division in the Netherlands in The Hague (2006-2010), First Secretary for the Permanent Representation to the UN of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New York (2002-2006), and various other positions since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1994.

She began her career at the Ministry of Social Affairs (1990-1994).

Erica is married to Tom, and they have a son.