Renilde Steeghs was appointed Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation in July 2012, a position that  she combines with her work as head of the International Cultural Policy Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ms Steeghs joined the Foreign Service in 1988. During her diplomatic career, her postings abroad included Zagreb, Moscow and Brussels (2007-2010). At the Ministry headquarters in The Hague, she served as head of the UN funds and programmes division (2003-2007) and advisor for economic diplomacy (2010-2012).