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Janez Potočnik graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (Ph.D. degree 1993). He started as a researcher at the Institute of Economic Research and was nominated for a Director of the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development in 1994. He was appointed Head of Negotiating Team for Accession of Slovenia to the EU (1998). He was also Director of Government Office for European Affairs (2000), Minister Councillor at the Office of the Prime Minister (2001) and Minister responsible for European Affairs (2002). In 2004 he joined the European Commission, first as ‘shadow’ Commissioner for Enlargement and then as Commissioner responsible for Science and Research when he, among others, introduced European Research Council. In 2010 he became Commissioner for Environment. His main contribution during the term was the first EU package of Circular Economy, which was on a conceptual level proceeding the European Green Deal, a comprehensive vision kickstarting EU-wide efforts for an economy and society transformation. After the end of mandate in November 2014, he was appointed as a Co-Chair of UNEP Environment International Resource Panel. He still holds that position. He is also Partner at Systemiq.