ir. MA (Marco) Otte

Marco (1970) has been working at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) since 2000 and has served in Corporate Strategy and Accounts since 2018. He is an expert in the development process of strategic collaborations and partnerships, guiding complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives from initial vision and alignment to governance design and implementation. A central element in his work is the consistent application of clear Principles of Collaboration, ensuring shared ownership, transparency, long-term value creation, and structures that enable effective delivery.

As Manager International Relations for Oceania (2019 - today), he is responsible for strengthening WUR’s partnerships across the region, home to both very small island states and vast ocean territories. He supports the perspective that these very small island states are more aptly termed Large Ocean States, recognizing the scale of their ocean resources, stewardship responsibilities, and geopolitical significance. He works with governments, regional institutions, and international partners to develop collaborative solutions that enhance WUR’s global impact and contribute to sustainable development across the Pacific.

Until very recently, Marco served as Liaison Officer between WUR and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). With the conclusion of this role, he now fully focuses on his core activities in Oceania and on advancing WUR’s strategic collaboration portfolio.

Throughout his career, Marco has held various leadership and advisory roles across multiple departments within WUR. His expertise spans agri-related operational research, logistics, ICT, and green education, providing him with a deep understanding of both WUR’s internal operations and broader global challenges. At the senior level, he has served as a Manager, Managing Consultant, Service Manager, and Account Manager, in addition to multiple tenures as Chairman of the Participation Council.

https://nl.linkedin.com/in/marcootte