Biography
Frantisek Ruzicka, a Slovak national, took up his duties as Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD on 1 December 2025. His portfolio covers Global Relations and the OECD’s engagement with the United Nations, as well as the Organisation’s work on Education, Skills, Employment, Labour and Social Affairs.
In addition to his policy responsibilities, Mr. Ruzicka oversees several corporate governance functions. He serves as Chair of the Management Review Board, the Corporate Review Group and the Board for Managing non-Governmental Stakeholder Relations. He also leads the implementation of the OECD’s Human Resources Strategy and oversees a coordinated Organisation-wide approach to voluntary contributions.
Mr. Ruzicka previously served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to the OECD from 2020 to 2025, during which time he chaired the OECD Executive Committee in 2022 and 2023 and was a member of the Organisation’s Audit Committee. He also chaired the Eurasia Advisory Board in 2024.
Before joining the OECD, Mr. Ruzicka held senior roles in Slovakia’s diplomatic service. He served as State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs from 2018 to 2020 and as Director of the Office of the President of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly from 2017 to 2018. From 2012 to 2017, he was Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the United Nations in New York. Earlier in his career, he held positions as Ambassador to Poland, Director General for European Affairs, and Ambassador for UN Affairs, among other assignments.
Mr. Ruzicka has participated in a wide range of multilateral processes, serving on UN expert groups and committees, including as Chair of the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee and as a member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Group on the reform of UN-Habitat. He has also been involved in national and international coordination bodies related to EU affairs, economic cooperation, and foreign policy.
In addition to his diplomatic work, Mr. Ruzicka has written and co-written publications on European diplomacy, EU enlargement and international governance. His distinctions include national and international awards, recognising his contributions to public service.
He holds degrees from Charles University in Prague and from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.
