L. Paul Bremer Accepts Appointment by President Bush
Akzo Nobel N.V. announced today that Mr. L. Paul Bremer III has resigned his position as a member of Akzo Nobel's Supervisory Board, following his acceptance of a high U.S. government position.

Paul Bremer has been appointed by President Bush to be his Envoy to Iraq, heading the U.S. -led Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA). Because of U.S. conflict of interest rules, this means that he had to resign all his Board positions.

Aarnout Loudon, Chairman of Akzo Nobel's Supervisory Board said he is "very sorry to see Paul Bremer go," but accepted the resignation as he agreed "the new position to which Paul Bremer has been called by President Bush makes this unavoidable." He expressed his thanks and gratitude for the valuable contribution Mr. Bremer has made to Akzo Nobel.

Paul Bremer has served Akzo Nobel's Supervisory Board since 1997, and has also been a member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee since October 2002.

Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 2002 totaled EUR 14 billion. The Company currently employs approximately 67,500 people in more than 80 countries. Financial results for the second quarter will be published on July 18, 2003.

Arnhem, the Netherlands, May 13, 2003