Kuldar Leis
Estonian Reform Party
In undertaking to perform the duties of a member of the Government of the Republic, I am aware that I shall bear responsibility in this office before the Republic of Estonia and my conscience. I solemnly swear to remain faithful to the constitutional order of the Republic of Estonia and to devote my strength to securing the welfare and future of the people of Estonia.
25 March 2025, Tallinn
Minister of Infrastructure of the Republic of Estonia from 25 March 2025.
Kuldar Leis was born on 29 May 1968 in Tartu. He is married and the father of three children.
Career
- 2021-2025 Member of the Management Board of the Tartu 2024 Foundation
- 2017-2021 Business Advisor at the Põlva County Development Centre Foundation
- 2017-2020 Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Operail joint stock company
- 2015-2017 Development Manager at the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation of the University of Tartu
- 2013-2025 Member of the Põlva Municipality Council, 2013-2017 Chairman of the Council
- 2008-2013 Chairman of the Board of the Premia Foods joint stock company
- 2006-2013 Chairman of the Board of the Premia Tallinna Külmhoone joint stock company
- 2005-2013 Member of the Põlva City Council
- 2004-2007 Chairman of the Management Board of the Nordic Foods joint stock company
- 2001-2003 Chairman of the Management Board of the Ösel Foods joint stock company
- 2000-2001 Sales and Marketing Director, Member of the Management Board of the Ösel Foods joint stock company
- 1998-2000 Commercial Director of the Ühinenud Meiereid joint stock company
- 1997-1998 Director of the Southern Region of the Hoiupank joint stock company
Education
Kuldar Leis graduated from the University of Tartu in 1993 with a degree in financing and loans. He graduated from the Õisu Technical School of Food Industry in 1987, specialising in dairy technology.
Other
In 2020, the President of the Republic awarded K. Leis the Order of the White Star IV class. In 2025 he was recognised by the Minister of Culture for his leadership of the Tartu 2024 project, and in 2017 he was awarded the title of Mentor of the Year in Entrepreneurship Education.
K. Leis is a native speaker of Estonian, with English and Russian as foreign languages.
About the job of the Minister of Infrastructure
The Minister for Infrastructure leads the Ministry of Climate in their area of responsibility.
The minister is appointed to and released from office by the President of the Republic on the proposal of the prime minister. The minister is sworn in by giving an oath before the Riigikogu.
The area of responsibilities of the Minister of Infrastructure encompasses the Transport Administration, the National Fleet, the Lennuliiklusteeninduse, Nordic Aviation Group, Raudtee Varad, Eesti Raudtee, Saarte Liinid, Tallinna Lennujaam, Tallinna Sadam and Teede Tehnokeskus joint stock companies and the Rail Baltic Estonia and Transpordi Varahaldus limited liability companies.
- The Minister of Infrastructure is responsible for the organisation of the circular economy and waste management policy, housing and construction, transport (including freight transport, international public transport, transit, logistics and transport infrastructure), increasing the international competitiveness of the maritime economy, the development of maritime economy sectors and the state-owned fleet (excluding watercraft registered with the Defence Forces and the Defence League), the organisation of marine research and water protection and use, the policy for the protection and use of the marine environment, water management.
- The Minister for Infrastructure is responsible for traffic management (including traffic on railways, highways and streets, waterways and airways), planning and implementation of transport systems, mobility and mobility services (including investments and procurement of public transport infrastructure and procurement of transport infrastructure and state-owned watercraft, excluding watercraft registered with the Defence Forces and the Defence League), and improving road safety.
- The Minister of Infrastructure represents Estonia on transport issues in the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council of the European Union.
Ministry of Climate of Estonia
Estonian natural values and resources form a national wealth, which shall be used sustainably. The task of the Ministry of Climate is to create such prerequisites and conditions which ensure us and the following generations diverse nature and clean living environment as well as the sustainable use of natural resources.
Organisation of work of the Government of the Republic
The government implements the state’s domestic and foreign policy. The government makes decisions on a collegial basis on behalf of the executive. The competence of ministers in managing ministries and the areas of responsibility of ministers are determined with an order of the prime minister.