Liselotte Kjaersgaard Plesner

Liselotte Ellegaard Kjærsgaard Plesner (born 6 July 1960) is a Danish diplomat and civil servant. She is the current Ambassador of Denmark to Saudi Arabia, concurrently serving as ambassador to Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen, and having previously served as Permanent Representative of Denmark to NATO, from 2018 to 2022, the first woman to hold that position.

Plesner has held several diplomatic positions during her career, including as Ambassador of Denmark to Austria (2013–2018), concurrently serving as non-resident Ambassador to North Macedonia (2014–2017), Slovakia (2014–2017), Slovenia (2014–2018) and Albania (2018). During her time as Danish ambassador to Austria, Plesner also served as Resident Representative of Denmark to the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as Permanent Representative of Denmark to OSCE, CTBTO and other UN organizations in Vienna. She was previously Ambassador of Denmark to Israel (2008–2013) and Political Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Early life and education Liselotte Ellegaard Kjærsgaard Plesner was born on 6 July 1960 in Aarhus, Jutland, Denmark. She grew up in Fredericia, and attended Skjoldborgvejens School and graduated from Fredericia Gymnasium.

In 1987, she obtained a Master of Science in political science (Cand.scient.pol.) from the University of Aarhus.

In 1991, Plesner was posted to the Danish Embassy in Bonn, as Secretary, but recalled home, where she served as Private Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs between 1995 and 1996. In 1996 to 1997, Plesner assumed the position of Head of the Private Office of the Foreign Minister.

Israel In 2008, Plesner assumed her first ambassadorial appointment, becoming Ambassador of Denmark to Israel. She presented her credentials to President Shimon Peres, on 1 September 2008.

Austria and the UN In 2013, she was appointed Ambassador of Denmark to Austria. During her tenure as Danish ambassador to Austria, she also served concurrently as non-resident side-accredited Ambassador of Denmark to North Macedonia (2014–2017), Slovakia (2014–2017), Slovenia (2014–2018) and Albania (2018).

In a 2021 interview, Plesner emphasized Denmark's role in NATO and the organization's importance in guaranteeing Danish security and values. She stressed Denmark's contributions to NATO missions, including leadership of the NATO Mission Iraq, participation in Afghanistan and Kosovo missions, and support for enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic region and NATO Air Policing.

Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Nations In 2022, she was appointed Ambassador of Denmark to Saudi Arabia, concurrently serving as non-resident side-accredited Ambassador of Denmark to the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen. She presented her credentials to Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. Plesner is also the official representative of Denmark to the Muslim World League, based in Mecca, meeting the Secretary-General, Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Issa, in 2023.

In January 2023, she met with Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz (grandson of Ibn Saud), Governor of Tabuk Province.

In June 2023, Plesner visited the base leadership at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, where she inspected the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, and the US/Danish partnership.

Personal life She is married to Nicolai Plesner, and together they have one son.

She is fluent in English, Italian, German, French and speaks some Hebrew.

International Cross of Merit, 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Recipient of the "Golden Laurel Branch" award of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry. Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria. Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. Commander of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.