The Global Greens are pleased to announce the election of Honourable Dr. Senator Frank Habineza as Global Greens Co-Convenor and the re-election of Bodil Valero as Global Greens Co-Convenor.
Dr. Frank Habineza is a Rwandan politician and environmental advocate, and the founder and chairperson of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, established in 2009. He has a strong background in environmental and civil society work, as well as organisational management at both national and international levels. He has played a central role in building opposition Green politics in Rwanda, including standing as a presidential candidate in 2017 and 2024. In 2018, he became one of the first opposition members elected to Rwanda’s Parliament since 1994, serving until 2024. Frank was elected a Senator in 2025, serving in the upper house of the Rwandan Parliament.
As President of the African Greens Federation from 2010 to 2018, and as leader of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda since 2009, Frank has developed the skills to navigate complex political landscapes, build consensus among diverse political actors, and champion policies that place people and the planet at the centre of decision-making. Frank has extensive experience within the Global Greens, having joined the Global Greens Coordination in 2008 during the second Global Greens Congress in São Paulo, and having played key roles in organising Global Greens Congresses in Dakar, Liverpool, and Seoul. He received an honorary Doctorate of Humanities in 2013 in recognition of his commitment to democracy and human rights.
Bodil Valero is a Swedish Green politician and former Member of the European Parliament (2014–2019), and has served as Global Greens Co-Convenor since 2023. During her time in the European Parliament, she coordinated Green work on security and defence and served on civil liberties and foreign affairs committees, and as rapporteur for the Parliament’s Annual Report on Arms Exports. Her political work has focused on human rights, refugee and migrant protection, minority rights, and the promotion of a humane, rights-based approach to migration, alongside long-standing engagement on democracy, peace, and international solidarity. Bodil received an honorary Doctorate of Humanities in 2022.
The day-to-day operations of the Global Greens are managed by the Co-Convenors, who are periodically chosen by the Global Greens Coordination. Working closely with the Global Greens Coordination, Executive, and Secretariat, the Convenors provide leadership, strategic direction, and coordination across the Global Greens’ federations and member parties worldwide.
Frank (centre) and Bodil (left) with Inger Schörling at the Swedish Parliament in 2011, where Frank was receiving a democracy prize from the Swedish Green Party.
The election of Bodil Valero and Frank Habineza secures a wealth of political experience, leadership, and international networks for the Global Greens, strengthening the movement at a crucial time for people and the planet. Together, they bring deep expertise in parliamentary work, party building, international cooperation, and advocacy for democracy, peace, human rights, climate justice, and social equality.
In their roles, the Co-Convenors will play a key part in advancing the Global Greens’ shared vision and values, as set out in the Global Greens Charter. They will contribute to ongoing strategic planning and implementation, with the aim of extending the global Green political movement, deepening cooperation among federations, and supporting member parties to achieve stronger electoral outcomes.
The Global Greens congratulate Frank Habineza and Bodil Valero on their election and re-election and look forward to working together to build a stronger, more connected global Green movement.
Newly appointed in the Secretariat
In addition, Karen Rossel has also joined the Global Greens Secretariat in the role of Event and Project Manager. Karen is an international events professional with over a decade of experience designing and delivering conferences, campaigns, and gatherings across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. She combines strong practical delivery with a values-driven approach to events that support participation, political engagement, and movement-building.
Karen joins Lucy Kagendo Mbae and Seth Piper in the GG Secretariat, who hold the roles of Secretary and Communications Specialist respectively.
From : Green Global .
