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Special Envoys on Climate Change > Biographical Note
Gro Harlem Brundtland
In 1981, Gro Harlem Brundtland, was appointed Prime Minister of Norway for the first time. She was the youngest person, at age 41, and the first woman ever to hold that office in Norway. With two other terms as Prime Minister from 1986-1989 and 1990-1996, Dr. Brundtland lead Norway’s government for more than 10 years.
Throughout her political career, Dr. Brundtland has developed a growing concern for issues of global significance. In 1983 the then United Nations Secretary-General, Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, invited her to establish and chair the World Commission on Environment and Development. The Commission, which is best known for developing the broad political concept of sustainable development, published its report Our Common Future in April 1987. The Commission's recommendations led to the Earth Summit — the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
In May 1998 she was elected Director-General of the World Health Organization. She held that position until 2003.
A medical doctor and Master of Public Health, Mrs. Gro Harlem Brundtland spent 10 years as a physician and scientist in the Norwegian public health system. During the 1970s she acquired international recognition in environmental circles and a political reputation at home.
Born on 20 April 1939, Gro Harlem Brundtland is married to Arne Olav Brundtland.
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