Jānis Sārts

Topic

“Strategic communication in the post-truth century”

Biography

Director, NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence

Mr. Sārts became the director of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence in September 1,2015. Before thet since 2008 he was the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Latvia.

Before the assignment of State Secretary Jānis Sārts has led the defence reforms to prepare Latvia's integration into NATO. He was in chearge of development and implementation of Latvia's Annual National Plans (MAP) for membership into NATO.

From 2002 until 2007, Jānis Sārts headed the Defence section of Latvia's Delegation to NATO and EU in Brussels. Upon the request of Georgia in 2005 he was appointed as a Special Advisor to Georgia on defence reforms  and NATO integration plans.

As the State Secretary since 2008 Jānis Sārts has led the reforms of defence sector under severe financial restrictions, developed new State Defence Concept and encouraged regional cooperation within NATO and EU.

Jānis Sārts has graduated from the Faculty of History of the University of Latvia in 1994; the NATO Defence College and received numerous state awards for his contribution to defence reforms; Latvia's membership into NATO and hosting the NATO Summit in Riga.