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JIHAD AZOUR
Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF
Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF
- Born on May 4, 1966.
- Received a Ph.D. in International Finance from the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris.
- Served as a post-doctoral fellow at the Department of Economics at Harvard University.
- In 2005-2008 served as Minister of Finance of Lebanon.
- Coordinated the implementation of important reforms, including modernizing the country's tax and customs systems. In 2007, his reform program was granted the prestigious "United Nations Public Service Award".
- In 2006-2008, chaired the G8-MENA Ministerial Group for 2006–2008,
- Worked in the private sector, including McKinsey and Booz and Co. where he was a Vice-President and Senior Executive Advisor.
- Prior to joining the IMF in March 2017, he was a Managing Partner at investment firm Inventis Partners.
- Author of several books and articles on economic and financial issues.
MOHAMED ELBARADEI
Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2005),
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (1997-2009)
Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2005),
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (1997-2009)
- Born on June 17, 1942.
- In 1962, graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Laws from the University of Cairo.
- In 1974 received his Ph.D. in International Law at the New York University School of Law.
- He began his career in the Egyptian Diplomatic Service in 1964, serving on two occasions in the Permanent Missions of Egypt to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, in charge of political, legal and arms control issues.
- In 1997-2009, Director General of the IAEA.
- In 2005, Dr. ElBaradei was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for efforts "to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and to ensure that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is used in the safest possible way."
- In 2011, amid mass protests by opponents of President Hosni Mubarak, he returned to Cairo.
- On July 9, 2013, he was appointed Vice-President of Egypt, but on August 14, 2013, announced his resignation due to disagreement with the Muslim Brotherhood government.
- Member of the International Law Association (ILA) and the American Society of International Law (ASIL).
- Member of the Astana Club's Consultative Council.
JOSÉ MANUEL BARROSO
Board Chair of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), President of the European Commission (2004-2014)
Board Chair of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), President of the European Commission (2004-2014)
- Born on March 23, 1956.
- Graduated with Law degree from the University of Lisbon, received a master's degree in Political Science from the University of Geneva, and a Ph.D. from Georgetown University.
- In 1999, Barroso was elected president of the Portuguese Social Democratic Party and became the leader of the opposition.
- In 2002, he was elected Prime Minister of Portugal and in 2004 he was nominated as President of the European Commission.
- He played an influential role in the passing of the Treaty of Lisbon, responding to the financial crisis and incorporating new members in the European Union (the EU went from 15 to 28 countries between 2004 and 2014).
- On behalf of the EU, Barroso received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.
- In 2016, he was appointed Non-Executive Chairman of Goldman Sachs International.
- Since 2020, he has served as Chair of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), a private-government partnership committed to increasing the availability of childhood vaccinations in poor countries.
- Member of the Astana Club's Consultative Council.
KJELL MAGNE BONDEVIK
Founder of the Oslo Center,
Prime Minister of Norway (1997-2000, 2001-2005)
Founder of the Oslo Center,
Prime Minister of Norway (1997-2000, 2001-2005)
- Born on September 3, 1947.
- Representing the Christian Democratic Party, Bondevik was a member of the Storting (Parliament) from 1973 to 2005. In 1973-1995, he was his party's parliamentary leader.
- Served as Minister of Church and Education (1983-1986) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1989-1990).
- Served as the prime minister of Norway from 1997 to 2000, and from 2001 to 2005, which makes him the second longest-serving non-Labour Party Prime Minister of Norway since World War II.
- In 2006 he founded The Oslo Centre for Peace and Human Rights, an organization on the observance of human rights and interfaith tolerance, as well as advocating for world peace.
- Member of the Club de Madrid and the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation.
- He was awarded the Grand Cross of St. Olav in 2004, the first sitting Norwegian Prime Minister to receive the Order of St. Olav in 80 years.
- In honour of the 30th anniversary of Kazakhstan's Independence, he wrote an article "Kazakhstan Cares About Stability to Maintain Security in the Region", which was published in the Norwegian newspaper "Vårt Land".
TOBIAS BORCK
Research Fellow for Middle East Security Studies at Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
Research Fellow for Middle East Security Studies at Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
- Holds a Ph.D. in Middle East Politics at the University Exeter (UK).
- Research Fellow for Middle East Security Studies at the International Security Studies department at RUSI.
- Before joining RUSI, Tobias has worked as an independent analyst and consultant, contributing to projects related to the politics and international relations of the Gulf monarchies, the post-2011 political and security developments in North Africa (especially Libya), and the evolution and propaganda narratives of extremist groups in the Middle East.
- Also co-leads the development and delivery of the RUSI Leadership Centre's programme of executive education training courses, including for diplomats, military personnel, and security professionals from the Middle East and beyond.
- He has spent time studying and working in Egypt, Morocco, and Jordan.
- Speaks German, English, and is proficient in Arabic.
NINO BURJANADZE
Chairwoman of the party United Georgia – Democratic Movement,
Interim President of Georgia (2003-2004, 2007-2008),
Chairwoman of the Parliament of Georgia (2001-2008)
Chairwoman of the party United Georgia – Democratic Movement,
Interim President of Georgia (2003-2004, 2007-2008),
Chairwoman of the Parliament of Georgia (2001-2008)
- Born on July 16, 1964.
- In 1986 graduated from the Faculty of Law of Tbilisi State University.
- In 1990, received the degree of Candidate of Legal Sciences (Ph.D.) at Moscow State University.
- Since 1991 – Associate Professor of the Department of International Law and International Relations at Tbilisi State University.
- From 1995 to 2008 – a member of the Parliament of Georgia.
- From 1995 to 1998 – the first Deputy Chair of the Legal Issues Committee. From 1998 to 1999 the chairwoman of the Committee.
- From 2000 to 2001 – Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations.
- From 2001 to 2007 – Vice President of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
- From 2001 to 2008 – Chairwoman of the Parliament of Georgia.
- From 2001 to 2008 – The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).
- In 2003-2004 and 2007-2008 – Interim President of Georgia.
- In 2008, Burjanadze founded a political party United Georgia – Democratic Movement. She is currently the chairwoman of the political organisation.
WANG HUIYAO
President of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG)
President of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG)
- Born on July 2, 1958.
- Founder and President of Center for China and Globalization (CCG), a leading Chinese non-government think tank in the field of social sciences that ranked among top 80 think tanks in the World.
- Adviser to the Chinese government. Vice Chairman of China Association for International Economic Cooperation Association of the Ministry of Commerce.
- Vice Chairman of China Western (Overseas) Returned Scholars Association.
- Dean of Institute of Development Studies of China Southwestern University of Finance and Economics.
- A member of Yale University Asia Development Advisory Council, a member of Duke Kunshan University Advisory Council, a member of advisory board of Ivey Business School in Asia.
- Steering committee member of Metropolis International Network and a steering committee member of Paris Peace Forum launched by French President E.Macron.
- Has published over 70 books and more than 100 articles and papers in both Chinese and English on global trade, global governance, global migration, talents mobility, China outbound and inbound investment, Chinese Diasporas and Chinese think tanks.
IAN GOLDIN
Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford, author of the bestseller Age of Discovery: Navigating the Risks and Rewards of Our New Renaissance
Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford, author of the bestseller Age of Discovery: Navigating the Risks and Rewards of Our New Renaissance
- Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford. Received wide recognition for his contributions in the field of international economics.
- Until 2016, he was the director of the Oxford Martin School, an interdisciplinary research community. Under his leadership, the School has become the world's leading research center for solving global problems of the 21st century.
- Before his appointment to this position, he was Vice President of the World Bank and Bank's Director of Development Policy.
- In 1996-2001, he was the Chief Executive and Managing Director of the Development Bank of Southern Africa and served as an advisor to President Nelson Mandela. He succeeded in transforming the Bank to become the leading agent of development in the 14 countries of Southern Africa.
- Before that, he held the post of Principal Economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London, and Programme Director at the OECD Development Centre in Paris.
- Author of more than 50 articles and 20 books, among the latest: Age of Discovery: Navigating the Storms of Our Second Renaissance; Is the Planet Full? and The Butterfly Defect: How globalization creates systemic risks, and what to do about it.
NIK GOWING
Founder and Director of Thinking the Unthinkable,
Visiting Professor at King's College London,
News presenter for the BBC's international (1996-2014)
Founder and Director of Thinking the Unthinkable,
Visiting Professor at King's College London,
News presenter for the BBC's international (1996-2014)
- Born on January 13, 1951.
- Graduated from the University of Bristol.
- Before joining the BBC, worked in ITN for 18 years in senior positions including diplomatic editor of Channel 4 News.
- In 1982, received the BAFTA Award for coverage of martial law in Poland.
- From 1996 to 2014 worked as a presenter of the prime time international news edition on BBC World News.
- Moderated major international events, including the BBC World debates at the WEF in Davos, the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm, etc.
- From 1998 to 2005, served as Vice-President of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
- Since 2014 serves as Professor at King's College in London.
- In 2014, founded the Thinking the Unthinkable project, aimed at forecasting global risks.
- A member of the boards of major analytical organizations such as Chatham House and the Royal Institute of Defence Studies (RUSI).
- A member of the Global Agenda Council of the World Economic Forum, Advisor to the President of the UN General Assembly on Leadership issues.
JONATHAN GRANOFF
President of the Global Security Institute (USA)
President of the Global Security Institute (USA)
- Born on November 7, 1948.
- Received his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University School of Law.
- President of the Global Security Institute.
- Special Representative to the UN in the Permanent Secretariat of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates.
- International lawyer. Focuses on strengthening the rule of law to address international security issues and threats posed by nuclear weapons.
- A member of the governing and advisory boards of international organizations: the Lawyers' Committee on Nuclear Policy, the Jane Goodall Institute, the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace and Security, as well as the Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament.
- Ambassador for Peace, Security and Nuclear Disarmament of the Parliament of the World's Religions.
- Chairman of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Task Force and Senior Advisor to the Committee on National Security of the International Law Section of the American Bar Association.
- Was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
- Member of the Astana Club's Consultative Council.
RUPERT GOODMAN DL
Chairman of the British-Kazakh society,
Founder of FIRST
Chairman of the British-Kazakh society,
Founder of FIRST
- Born on April 17, 1963.
- British publisher, international affairs expert, and entrepreneur.
- Studied at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge.
- After graduating from Cambridge worked at J. Walter Thompson in London.
- In 1984 founded FIRST, a multi-disciplinary international affairs organization. He is currently chairman of FIRST.
- FIRST was presented the Queen's Award for Enterprise (the highest royal award for British business) in 2010 and 2013 for excellence in international markets.
- In 2000 he founded the Responsible Capitalism Initiative and Annual Award to honour business leaders who have excelled in both commercial success and social responsibility.
- In 2012, appointed a Deputy Lieutenant (DL) of Greater London.
- In 2016, Goodman was appointed a Deputy Chairman and a Trustee of Prince's Trust International – the international Charity founded by HRH the Prince of Wales.
- One of the founders and trustees of the British-Kazakh society, Director of Equilibrium, management-consulting firm.
- Chairman of World Petroleum and World Energy Insight – organisations providing information on the oil/gas and energy sectors.
- Member of the Astana Club's Consultative Council.
ABDULLAH GÜL
President of Turkey (2007-2014)
President of Turkey (2007-2014)
- Born on October 29, 1950.
- In 1983, received a Ph.D. in Economics from Istanbul University.
- Between 1983 and 1991, worked as an economic adviser at the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Saudi Arabia.
- In 1991, was elected a member of the Turkish Parliament from the Welfare Party. Was re-elected to Parliament in 1995, 1999 and 2002.
- In 1992-2001 was a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). In 2001 and 2002 was a member of the NATO PA.
- In 2001, together with the current President of Turkey, R.T.Erdogan, founded the Justice and Development Party.
- In 2002-2003, served as Prime Minister of Turkey.
- In 2003-2007, was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister in the Government of R.T.Erdogan.
- In 2007, was elected President of Turkey.
- After the expiration of the presidential term in 2014, left active participation in politics.
STEVE DURBIN
Managing Director of the Information Security Forum (ISF), UK
Managing Director of the Information Security Forum (ISF), UK
- Managing Director of the Information Security Forum (ISF).
- The ISF is a global authority on information security and risk management comprising the world's leading organisations featured on the Fortune 500 and Forbes 2000 lists.
- Has considerable experience working in the technology and telecoms markets and was previously senior vice president at Gartner.
- Has served as an executive on the boards of public companies in the UK and Asia in both the technology consultancy services and software applications development sectors.
- Has also served as a Digital 50 advisory committee member in the USA, a body established to improve the talent pool for Fortune 500 boards around cyber security and information governance.
- In 2014, was ranked as one of the top 10 experts shaping the way that organizations and leaders approach information security.
- Chairman of the Digiworld Institute senior executive forum in the UK, a think tank comprised of Telecoms, Media and IT leaders and regulators.
- Chartered Marketer and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK).
VUK JEREMIĆ
President of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD), President of the 67th session of the UN GA (2012-2013), Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia (2007-2012)
President of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD), President of the 67th session of the UN GA (2012-2013), Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia (2007-2012)
- Born on July 3, 1975.
- In 1998 graduated from the University of Cambridge (Queens' College), where studied theoretical physics.
- In 2001-2003 continued studies at Harvard University (USA), graduating with master's degree in public administration and international development. Was one of the best students on the course.
- President of the Centre for International Relations and Sustainable Development, an analytical centre for public policy based in Belgrade, and Editor-in-chief of Horizons, a journal devoted to the broad theme of international relations and sustainable development
- In 2012-2013, served as president of the United Nations General Assembly. In this position, negotiated the creation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty.
- From 2007 to 2012, served as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia. Also chaired the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
- In 2011-2012, successfully led Serbia's campaign for the 2015 chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
- Fluent in English and German.
- Member of the Astana Club's Consultative Council.
LASSINA ZERBO
Executive Secretary Emeritus of the CTBTO, Laureate of the Nazarbayev Prize for Nuclear Weapon Free World and Global Security (2019)
Executive Secretary Emeritus of the CTBTO, Laureate of the Nazarbayev Prize for Nuclear Weapon Free World and Global Security (2019)
- Born on October 10, 1963.
- Graduated from the Université de Paris XI, France, with Ph.D. in Geophysics.
- From 2013 to 2021, was Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO PC).
- Began his career at the US office of BHP Billiton in Virginia. Then worked in the mining holding Anglo American. From 2004 to 2013, he headed the International Data Center of the CTBTO PC.
- In the position of Executive Secretary of the CTBTO, initiated the establishment of the Group of Eminent Persons (GEM), comprising internationally recognized politicians and experts to promote the CTBT's entry into force.
- Active participant in international projects on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control.
- Laureate of numerous prizes and awards, including the Award for Science Diplomacy from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Nazarbayev Prize for Nuclear Weapon Free World and Global Security (Kazakhstan, 2019).
- Member of the Astana Club's Consultative Council.
VLADISLAV INOZEMTSEV
Director of the Center for post-industrial society studies (Russia)
Director of the Center for post-industrial society studies (Russia)
- Born on October 10, 1968.
- Holds Ph.D. in Economics, Moscow State University.
- From 1995 to 2010, before entering politics, worked in the editorial office of magazines, in the banking sector for several years.
- Founded the autonomous Center for Post-Industrial Society Studies NGO and has been its scientific director since 1996.
- From 2003 to 2012 served as Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of Russia in the Global Affairs journal.
- In 2011, received membership in the Russian International Affairs Council, created by the President of the Russian Federation.
- Since 2012, for two years has been Chairman of the High Council of the party "Civilian Power", which was among the parties that nominated Dmitry Medvedev for president of Russia.
- Member of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy (CFDP) and the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC). Member of the Valdai Club. Executive Director of the World Political Forum.
- Author of more than 1150 printed works published in Russia and abroad.
HAMID KARZAI
President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2004-2014)
President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2004-2014)
- Born on December 24, 1957.
- Afghan politician.
- Studied for a master's degree in international relations and political science at Himachal Pradesh University, India.
- In 2004, won the first free elections in Afghanistan.
- Served as President of Afghanistan from 2004 to 2014.
- During Karzai's leadership, Afghanistan has achieved success in restoring economy and education spheres.
- Under democratic transformations during the leadership of the country, Karzai introduced several women into the government.
- In 2018, Karzai supported the negotiations initiated by the Trump administration with the Taliban on the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
- After power in Afghanistan passed to the Taliban in August 2021, and President Ghani left the country, Karzai stayed in Kabul and entered into negotiations with the Taliban to ensure a peaceful transition of power.
- Karzai is one of the most popular politicians in Afghanistan.
- In 2003, Karzai was presented an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George by Queen Elizabeth II.
- In 2004, Karzai was awarded the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, one of the highest awards in the United States.
- Fluent in Pashto, Dari, Urdu, and English.
- Member of the Astana Club's Consultative Council.
ANGELA KANE
Vice President of the International Institute for Peace (Vienna), Sam Nunn Distinguished Fellow, United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs (2012-2015), Under-Secretary-General for Management in the UN (2008-2012)
Vice President of the International Institute for Peace (Vienna), Sam Nunn Distinguished Fellow, United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs (2012-2015), Under-Secretary-General for Management in the UN (2008-2012)
- Born on September 29, 1948.
- Graduated from the University of Munich, Bryn Mawr College, and the Johns Hopkins School of Advances International Studies.
- Awarded an honorary doctorate from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.
- In 2005-2008 – Assistant to the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, specializing in conflict prevention and resolution.
- In 2008-2012 – UN Under-Secretary-General for Management.
- In 2012-2015 – served as the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. During her tenure, was responsible for negotiating and investigating the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria in 2013, a crisis that resulted in the destruction of Syria's chemical arsenal.
- Chairman of the Council at the UN University, Chairman of the Board of the Dialogue Advisory Group, Senior Fellow at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, Vice-President of the International Institute for Peace in Vienna, and Professor at the Sciences Po University in Paris.
LISA CURTIS
Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), Deputy Assistant to the U.S. President (2017-2021)
Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), Deputy Assistant to the U.S. President (2017-2021)
- Received a B.A. degree in Economics from Indiana University (1990).
- Foreign policy and national security expert.
- Served for more than 20 years in the U.S. government, including at the National Security Council (NSC), CIA, State Department, and Congress.
- Her work has centered on U.S. policy toward the Indo-Pacific and South Asia.
- From 1994 to 1998 served at the U.S. Embassies in Pakistan and India.
- From 2006 to 2017, was Senior Fellow on South Asia at The Heritage Foundation.
- Also served in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, worked as a Senior Advisor in the South Asia Bureau at the State Department, worked as a Senior Analyst on South Asia at the CIA.
- From 2017 to 2021, served as Deputy Assistant to the President and NSC Senior Director for South and Central Asia
- Coordinated development of the U.S. Strategy toward Central Asia, to include facilitating new partnerships with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
- Since 2021, Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS).
- Has published commentary in Foreign Policy, The National Interest, NPR, and other media outlets. Made multiple appearances on CNN, Fox News, BBC, MSNBC.
SHINICHI KITAOKA
President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
- Born on April 20, 1948.
- In 1976, received his Ph.D. in Law from the University of Tokyo.
- In 2004-2006, Japan's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations.
- From 2009-2010, he chaired a Ministry of Foreign Affairs committee on the so-called Secret Agreements between the U.S. and Japan on the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory.
- Since 2012 – Professor at National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS).
- In 2012-2015 - President of the International University of Japan.
- Since 2015, he has been the President of the JICA.
- Author of numerous books and articles including A Political History of Modern Japan: Foreign Relations and Domestic Politics, Political Dynamics of the United Nations: Where Does Japan Stand? and Japan as a Global Player.
- He was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2011 for his academic contributions.
ANDREY KORTUNOV
Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC)
Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC)
- Born on August 19, 1957.
- In 1979, graduated from MGIMO University, MFA of the USSR, in 1982 – completed his postgraduate studies at the Institute for the US and Canadian Studies of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Holds a Ph.D. in History
- The main areas of scientific activity: international relations, the foreign and domestic policy of Russia, Russian-American relations.
- From 1982 to 1997 held various positions at the Institute for the US and Canadian Studies.
- Was a professor of Russian foreign policy at the University of California at Berkeley (1993), the United States.
- Since 1993, Director of the Moscow Public Science Foundation (MPSF), which assists innovative processes in the development of humanitarian and socio-political knowledge.
- Since 1998, Executive Director of the "Development of Education in Russia" project of the Open Society Institute (Soros Foundation).
- Since 2004, President of the New Eurasia Foundation, established by the American Eurasia Foundation, the Russian Dynasty Foundation, and the European Madaryaga Foundation.
- Since 2011, Director General and member of the Presidium of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).
LUKE COFFEY
Director for Foreign policy studies, Heritage Foundation
Director for Foreign policy studies, Heritage Foundation
- Born in 1979.
- Received M.S. degree in the politics and government of the European Union from the London School of Economics. He holds B.A. degree in political science from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
- In 2005, Coffey deployed to Afghanistan for a year and was awarded the Bronze Star.
- Became the first non-British citizen appointed by the Prime Minister to advise senior British officials. Among his duties was to contribute to the formation of British defence policy in relation to transatlantic security and NATO.
- Since 2010, he has worked in the UK Ministry of Defence as a senior special adviser to British Defence Secretary Liam Fox.
- He was a Heritage's Margaret Thatcher fellow, focusing on relations between the United States and the United Kingdom and on the role of NATO and the European Union in transatlantic and Eurasian security.
- In December 2015, he was appointed Director of the Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation, overseeing foreign policy and international affairs issues.
ARIEL COHEN
Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council Eurasia Centre,
Director of the Energy, Growth, and Security Program (ITIC)
Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council Eurasia Centre,
Director of the Energy, Growth, and Security Program (ITIC)
- Born on April 3, 1959.
- In 1976, emigrated with his family to Israel. Served in the Israeli Armed Forces. In 1987 moved to the USA.
- Received a master's degree from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from the Fletcher School of Diplomacy and Law of Tufts University.
- Worked as a consultant to the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the US House Armed Services Representatives Committee on the Air Force, the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, the US Agency for International Development, the World Bank, and the Pentagon.
- Since 1992, worked for 20 years as an employee of the Davis Institute for International Studies at the Heritage Foundation.
- Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. Member of the Council on Foreign Relations of the United States and the International Institute for Strategic Studies (London).
- Senior Researcher at the International Tax and Investment Centre (ITIC), where he heads the Energy, Growth, and Security (EGS) Program.
- Founding Director of The Centre for Energy, Natural Resources and Geopolitics (CENRG) at the Institute for Analysis of Global Security (IAGS).
- Founding Principal of International Market Analysis Ltd., a company engaged in business development and political risks in the field of energy and natural resources.
KRISHNA B. KUMAR
Director of International Research at the RAND Corporation
Director of International Research at the RAND Corporation
- Holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago.
- 1997-2005 – Assistant Professor of Finance and Business Economics, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California.
- Since 2004 – Visiting Professor, Indian School of Business.
- Since 2008 – Visiting Associate Professor at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University (North Carolina, USA).
- Since 2005, has been working at the RAND Corporation.
- The RAND Corporation is one of the oldest and most respected think tanks in the world, covers research issues in energy, education, healthcare, technologies, environment, international relations, and national security.
- Director of International Research and a senior economist at the RAND Corporation.
- Director of Initiative for Global Human Progress, Pardee RAND Graduate School at the RAND Corporation, teaches economic development.
YVES LETERME
Prime Minister of Belgium (2008, 2009-2011)
Prime Minister of Belgium (2008, 2009-2011)
- Born on October 6, 1960.
- In 1981 studied law at the Catholic University of Leuven. Then studied at Ghent University where obtained a BSc degree in Political Science (1983), a LL.M. degree (1984), and a M.P.A. degree in 1985.
- In 2004, became Minister-President of the Flemish government (Belgium region). Took a pragmatic course of increasing the economic dynamic and social wellbeing in region.
- Before becoming Prime Minister of Belgium in 2008, held the posts of Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Budget, Institutional Reforms, Transport, and the North Sea.
- In 2009, joined the Government as Minister of Foreign Affairs and became Prime Minister of Belgium for the second time on November 25, 2009.
- During Leterme's tenure as Prime Minister, Belgium held the presidency of the European Union.
- In 2014-2018, served as Secretary General at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
- Fluent in Dutch, French, and English.
- Member of the Astana Club's Consultative Council.
DAVID DAOKUI LI
Founding dean of the Schwarzman scholars, Tsinghua University, Co-Chairman of the Society for the Analysis of Government & Economics (SAGE)
Founding dean of the Schwarzman scholars, Tsinghua University, Co-Chairman of the Society for the Analysis of Government & Economics (SAGE)
- Born on December 22, 1963
- In 1985, he obtained his B.S. from Tsinghua University. Holds a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University.
- He is one of the leading economists of China, acts as the main consultant to the government of the country on economic issues.
- He is the Mansfield Freeman Chair Professor in the Department of Finance of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University.
- He is Schwarzman Scholars' founding dean, a master's degree program at Tsinghua University, focused on attracting future world leaders to the university to reduce the distance between China and other countries.
- The program was launched in 2013 and received favorable reviews from Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President B.Obama.
- Together with Eric S. Maskin, 2007 Nobel Laureate of Economics, he is a co-president of the Society for the Analysis of Government and Economics (SAGE).
- He is a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the People's Bank of China and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee. Author of articles and scientific papers; speaks on topics related to the Chinese economy and world politics.
JAMES M. LINDSAY
Senior Vice President of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
Senior Vice President of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
- Born on November 29, 1959.
- Holds B.A. in economics and political science from the University of Michigan and an M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. from Yale University.
- Has been a fellow at the Center for International Affairs and the Center for Science and International Affairs, both at Harvard University.
- From 1987 to 1999, professor of political science at the University of Iowa.
- From 1996 to 1997, served as Director for global issues and multilateral affairs of the National Security Council.
- Has also served as a consultant to the United States Commission on National Security/21st Century (Hart-Rudman Commission) and as a staff expert for the United States Institute of Peace's congressionally mandated Task Force on the United Nations.
- Senior Vice President of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), where he oversees the work of the more than six dozen fellows in the David Rockefeller Studies Program.
- A leading authority on the American foreign policymaking process.
JOHANNES F. LINN
Vice President of the World Bank (1991-2003),
Nonresident Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution
Vice President of the World Bank (1991-2003),
Nonresident Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution
- Born on October 22, 1945.
- Non-resident senior fellow in the Global Economy and Development program at the Brookings Institution, distinguished resident scholar of the Emerging Markets Forum, and senior advisor at the Results for Development Institute (R4D).
- Graduated from Oxford University. In 1973, he received a Ph.D. degree from Cornell University. In the same year, he joined the World Bank team, where he was engaged in research on issues of urban development policy for 9 years.
- In 1991 he took the position of World Bank's vice president for financial policy and resource mobilization, from 1996 to 2003 he worked as Vice-President for Europe and Central Asia.
- In 2019, he acted as the global facilitator for the first replenishment of the Green Climate Fund.
- Today's research mainly covers the topics of development effectiveness, global governance reforms and regional cooperation (with a special focus on Central Asia).
- Co-author and co-editor of well-known books: Global Governance Reform: Breaking the Stalemate (2007), Kazakhstan 2050: Toward a Modern Society for all (2014), and Central Asia 2050: Unleashing the Region's Potential (2016).
EDWARD N. LUTTWAK
President of ENL Associates,
Senior Associate at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
President of ENL Associates,
Senior Associate at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
- Born on November 4, 1942.
- Political scientist, a specialist in international relations and military strategy. Author of numerous works on history and foreign policy - both from the ancient world and our days.
- In 1964 graduated from the London School of Economics with a degree in analytical economics.
- In 1964-1966 taught at the University of Bath (U.K.).
- After working in London, Paris, and Jerusalem, in 1972 moved to the USA for graduate studies at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, where he graduated with a Ph.D. in International Relations (1975).
- As a visiting professor, he taught at Johns Hopkins University and Georgetown University.
- Worked as an adviser to president in the Ronald Reagan administration.
- Currently, he is a Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a political consultant to the US Department of State and the US Department of Defense.
- Speaks Hebrew, French, Spanish and Italian.
- Introduced such concepts as "turbo-capitalism" and "geoeconomics" into the social sciences.
BRUNO MAÇÃES
Author of the bestseller The Dawn of Eurasia,
Senior Adviser at Flint Global,
Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal (2013-2015)
Author of the bestseller The Dawn of Eurasia,
Senior Adviser at Flint Global,
Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal (2013-2015)
- Born in 1974.
- Portuguese politician, political scientist, business strategist, and writer.
- Studied at the University of Lisbon. Received his Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University in 2007.
- A non-resident senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC, and a non-resident fellow at Renmin University in Beijing.
- Senior Advisor at Flint Global in London (consulting company in the field of markets, investments, politics, political analysis, competition, and regulation).
- Served as a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (Europe) in Brussels.
- In 2013-2015 held the position of Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal.
- In his best-selling book The Dawn of Eurasia: On the Trail of the New World Order (2018), he argues that the best word for the emerging global order is 'Eurasian', and Europe cannot but react to China's "New Silk Road" initiative.
- Proponent of the idea of forming a Greater Eurasia.
VLADIMIR NOROV
SCO Secretary-General,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan (2006-2010)
SCO Secretary-General,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan (2006-2010)
- Born on August 31, 1955.
- Graduated from the Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute in 1976, the Academy of the Interior Ministry of the USSR in 1985. Ph.D. in Jurisprudence.
- In 1978-1992, worked in different positions at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan.
- In 1992-1995, Expert at the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
- In 1995-1996, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
- In 1996-1998, State Councillor of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
- In 1998-2003, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Germany, Switzerland, and Poland.
- In 2003-2004, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
- In 2004-2006, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Belgium, head of the mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the European Union and NATO.
- In 2006-2010, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
- In 2010-2013, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
- In 2013-2017, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Benelux countries, head of the mission of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the EU and NATO.
- In 2017-2018, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies.
- Since January 1, 2019 - SCO Secretary-General.
MICHAEL PILLSBURY
Director of the Centre on Chinese Strategy at the Hudson Institute, Author of the bestseller The Hundred-Year Marathon: China's Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower
Director of the Centre on Chinese Strategy at the Hudson Institute, Author of the bestseller The Hundred-Year Marathon: China's Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower
- Born on February 8, 1945
- Prominent American statesman, defence policy advisor, and China expert.
- Educated at Stanford University (B.A. in history with honours in social thought) and Columbia University (M.A., Ph.D.).
- Before coming to Hudson, held various postings in the U.S. Department of Defence and U.S. Senate throughout his career.
- Under President Reagan, was assistant undersecretary of defence for policy planning and responsible for the implementation of the program of covert aid known as the Reagan Doctrine.
- Under President George H. W. Bush, was a special assistant for Asian affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defence.
- In 2017, was invited as an adviser to President Donald Trump.
- Pillsbury is called the "architect" of Donald Trump's signature policy on China.
- Pillsbury is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, CFR (USA), and the International Institute for Strategic Studies, IISS (UK).
- Author of numerous scientific articles and three books on China.
- Pillsbury's book The Hundred-Year Marathon: China's Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower became a bestseller according to The Washington Post and has been translated into 7 languages, including Chinese.
KEVIN RUDD
President and CEO of Asia Society,
Prime Minister of Australia (2007-2010, 2013)
President and CEO of Asia Society,
Prime Minister of Australia (2007-2010, 2013)
- Born on September 21, 1957.
- Graduated from the Australian National University with honours in Chinese studies. Fluent in Mandarin.
- From 2006 to 2010, served as leader of the Australian Labor Party.
- Served as Australia's 26th Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010, then as Foreign Minister from 2010 to 2012, before returning as Prime Minister in 2013.
- As Prime Minister, Rudd led Australia's response during the Global Financial Crisis. Australia's fiscal response to the crisis was reviewed by the IMF as the most effective stimulus strategy of all member states.
- Became president and CEO of Asia Society in January 2021 and has been president of the Asia Society Policy Institute since January 2015.
- Chair of the Board of the International Peace Institute.
- Member of the IMF Managing Director's External Advisory Group and the Global Leadership Council for Sanitation and Water for All.
- Senior Fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, a Distinguished Fellow at Chatham House in London, and a Distinguished Fellow at the Paulson Institute in Chicago.
- Rudd is a member of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization's Group of Eminent Persons. He serves on the International Advisory Board of the Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University.
GIDEON RACHMAN
Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator, Financial times
Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator, Financial times
- Born in 1963.
- He studied History at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, gaining a first-class honors degree from Cambridge University in 1984.
- In July 2006, he became the Chief Foreign Affairs commentator of the Financial Times team after a 15-year career at The Economist, which included periods as a foreign correspondent in Brussels, Washington, and Bangkok.
- His particular interests include American foreign policy, the European Union, and globalization.
- The latest book, Easternisation: War and Peace in the Asian Century focus on how the growing wealth of Asian countries is transforming the international balance of power.
- The previous book, A Zero-Sum World, published in 2010, predicted the current trade war between the US and China.
- He received the Overseas Press Club of America's 2017 Best Commentary Award and the Orwell Press Prize in political journalism in 2016.
- He was named a Foreign Commentator of the Year in Britain's comment awards in 2010.
URBAN RUSNÁK
Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat
Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat
- Born on September 9, 1967.
- Slovak diplomat.
- Graduated from the Moscow Institute of Oil and Gas (1990).
- In 1998, received his Ph.D. from the Ankara University Institute of Social Sciences. Holds an Honoris Causa doctorate from the Kiev Slavonic University since 2009.
- From 1992 to 1999 worked in various positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, including Embassy in Turkey.
- In 2000-2003, was the Executive Director of the International Visegrad Fund. In 2003, returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic.
- From 2005 to 2009, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Slovakia to Ukraine. During his duties as Ambassador, took part in negotiations on gas problems between Russia and Ukraine.
- In 2011, elected as the Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat. Has focused his efforts on the modernisation of the Energy Charter Process, and on the updating of the institutional arrangements for the Conference.
- The culmination of Rusnák's modernisation efforts has been the adoption of the International Energy Charter in May 2015, political declaration which addresses the energy challenges of the XXI century.
- The Energy Charter is an organization aiming at strengthening energy cooperation between the signatory states. Currently, the Energy Charter Treaty has been signed by 54 countries from Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, also signed by Australia, the European Union and Kazakhstan.
- Fluent in English, Russian, Turkish, Ukrainian, French, and Hungarian.
SHIKHA BHASIN
Senior Programme Lead in the Technology, Finance and Trade team at The Council
Senior Programme Lead in the Technology, Finance and Trade team at The Council
- Shikha Bhasin is Senior Programme Lead in the Technology, Finance and Trade team at The Council. A co-author of the India Cooling Action Plan(ICAP), she continues to represent CEEW as a member of ICAP working groups to implement its R&D and servicing sector goals. Her research focusses on enhancing access to sustainable cooling in India, as well supporting the technology and market transitions required to meet India's Kigali Amendment commitments. Shikha also leads research on climate negotiations, with a particular focus on aspects of the Paris Agreement rulebook, and national ambitions set out under the aegis of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- A graduate of Delhi University and the London School of Economics and Politics, Shikha has worked extensively on policy-focused international technology cooperation research projects on climate change for over seven years with the German Development Institute (Bonn), the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (Amsterdam), and Radboud University (Nijmegen). Her research lies at the interface of policy and academia, and has been used to ascertain strategies in various governments, international organisations, and philanthropies. Shikha has served as an Advisory Board member to the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) instituted by the UNFCCC, and contributed to the inception and working of the UNFCCC’s Technology Mechanism.
JONATHAN TEPPERMAN
Editor at Large of Foreign Policy,
Author of the book The Fix: How Countries Use Crises to Solve the World's Worst Problems
Editor at Large of Foreign Policy,
Author of the book The Fix: How Countries Use Crises to Solve the World's Worst Problems
- Born in 1971.
- Writer and journalist.
- Holds a B.A. in English from Yale (1993), an M.A. in law from Oxford (1997), and an L.L.M. in law from New York University (1997).
- In 1998, joined the Foreign Affairs team.
- Then worked in Newsweek, where was deputy editor of the international edition.
- Also, worked as a reporter in Israel and a speechwriter for US Ambassador Morris B. Abram, the US representative to the UN European Office.
- Co-founder of the Halifax International Security Forum.
- Works as an Editor at Large at Foreign Policy.
- Author of the book The Fix: How Countries Use Crises to Solve the World's Worst Problems (2016).
- Published in leading American newspapers and magazines: The New York Times, New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, The New Republic, etc.
DMITRI TRENIN
Director of the Carnegie Moscow Center
Director of the Carnegie Moscow Center
- Born on September 11, 1955.
- Holds a Ph.D. in historical sciences.
- From 1993–1997, Trenin held a post as a senior research fellow at the Institute of Europe in Moscow. In 1993, he was a senior research fellow at the NATO Defense College in Rome.
- Served in the Soviet and Russian armed forces from 1972 to 1993, including experience working as a liaison officer in the external relations branch of the Group of Soviet Forces (stationed in Potsdam) and as a staff member of the delegation to the U.S.-Soviet nuclear arms talks in Geneva.
- Taught at the Military Institute of the USSR Ministry of Defense from 1983 to 1993.
- Since 2008, Director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, has been working at the Center since its foundation (1994). Chairs the research council and the Foreign and Security Policy Program.
- Member of a number of professional associations and organizations, including: the International Institute for Strategic Studies (London), the Russian International Affairs Council, the Russian International Studies Association, etc.
DANILO TÜRK
President of the Club de Madrid,
President of Slovenia (2007-2012)
President of the Club de Madrid,
President of Slovenia (2007-2012)
- Born on February 19, 1952.
- In 1978, obtained an M.A. with a thesis on minority rights from the University of Belgrade's Law School.
- In 1982, obtained a Ph.D. from the University in Ljubljana.
- In 1984-1992 served at the UN Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.
- From 1992 to 2000, was the first Slovene Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
- From 2000 to 2005 served as UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs under Secretary General Kofi Annan.
- In November 2007, won the presidential election.
- President of Slovenia from 2007 to 2012
- Emeritus Professor of International Law of the University in Ljubljana.
- Founder of the Foundation "Let the Dream" (established in 2010) assisting children – victims of violence.
- In November 2015, has chaired the Global High-Level panel on Water and Peace (Geneva).
- President of the Club de Madrid.
- Member of the Astana Club's Consultative Council.
MARC UZAN
Executive Director and founder
of the Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee (RBWC)
Executive Director and founder
of the Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee (RBWC)
- Born on October 23, 1964.
- Received a master's degree in International Economics and Finance from the University of Paris-Dauphine.
- Uzan has been a visiting scholar at the Department of Economics of the University of California at Berkeley and a visiting fellow at Harvard University.
- The founder and Executive Director of the Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee, a non-for-profit organization that has been dealing with issues related to the international financial system since 1994.
- Published several books on international finance, including Bretton Woods: the Next 70 Years (2015).
- Has authored academic papers on the new architecture for the international financial system and has written extensively about economics and finance in the press.
ALYN WARE
Global coordinator of the network Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND)
Global coordinator of the network Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND)
- Born on March 21, 1962.
- Trained in education at the University of Waikato (New Zealand).
- Actively participated in the campaign of the 1980s for the prohibition of nuclear weapons in New Zealand.
- The founder of a number of organizations, including the Hamilton nuclear-weapon-free zone committee, part of the campaign for the liberation of New Zealand from nuclear weapons, the Abolition 2000, the Global civil society network to eliminate nuclear weapons, and the Nuclear Abolition Forum.
- Founded the organization "Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament" (PNND), a global inter-party network of more than 700 parliamentarians.
- Headed a number of additional initiatives to promote the abolition of nuclear weapons, including the creation of UNFOLD ZERO (a platform for the UN focused on actions for nuclear weapons free world) and Move the Nuclear Weapons Money (a campaign to cut nuclear weapons budget).
- Currently, works as a Global coordinator of the PNND and Director of the Basel Peace Office.
- A laureate of a number of international awards.
- Has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize.
EVAN FEIGENBAUM
Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Deputy Assistant US Secretary of State (2001-2009)
Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Deputy Assistant US Secretary of State (2001-2009)
- Received his B.A. in history from the University of Michigan and his M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from Stanford University.
- In 1994-1995, he was a lecturer on national security issues at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and a consultant on China to the RAND Corporation in 1993-1994.
- In 1997-2001, served as a lecturer on government in the faculty of arts and sciences at Harvard University.
- From 2001-2009, worked at the US State Department, in different years held the positions of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia.
- Vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he oversees research in Washington, Beijing, and New Delhi on a dynamic region encompassing both East Asia and South Asia.
- Within the framework of nuclear non-proliferation programs, he headed coordination groups, including agreements with the Governments of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
- Received several honorary awards from the US State Department.
- Author of three books and monographs, including The United States in the New Asia (2009) and China's Techno-Warriors: National Security and Strategic Competition from the Nuclear to the Information Age, which was selected by Foreign Affairs as the best book of 2003 on the Asia-Pacific.
BEATRICE FIHN
Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2017),
Executive Director, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)
Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2017),
Executive Director, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)
- Born on November 17, 1982.
- Has a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Stockholm University and a Master's in law from the University of London.
- Since 2013, Executive Director of the International Campaign for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
- ICAN is a coalition of non-governmental organizations in 100 countries of the world promoting adherence to and full implementation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, adopted by the UN on July 7, 2017.
- Among her achievements is the coordination of work on the mobilization of civil society throughout the development of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
- Has extensive experience in disarmament diplomacy and civil society mobilisation, through her work with ICAN, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.
- In 2017, received the Nobel Peace Prize "for its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons".
FRANCO FRATTINI
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy (2002-2004, 2008-2011),
Vice-President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security (2004-2008)
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy (2002-2004, 2008-2011),
Vice-President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security (2004-2008)
- Born on March 14, 1957.
- In 1979, graduated from the University of Rome, La Sapienza.
- Since 1981 - State Prosecutor.
- Since 1984 - State Advocate with the Attorney General's Office.
- Since 1994 - Secretary-General of Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
- In 1995, was appointed Minister for Public Administration and Regional Affairs.
- In 2002 he became the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy.
- In 2004, as a representative of Italy, he was appointed Vice-President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security.
- As a European Commissioner, he offered liberal initiatives towards migrants coming to the European Union. In particular, he became the founder of the so-called "blue card" idea of the European Union (analogue of the "green card" in the United States) for highly skilled immigrants.
- Was awarded the First Degree Order of "Stara Planina" (2009, Bulgaria) and the "Order of Friendship" (2012, Russia) - for contribution to the development of Russian-Italian relations.
- Member of the Astana Club's Consultative Council.
TERHI HAKALA
EU Special Representative for Central Asia
EU Special Representative for Central Asia
- Born on May 12, 1962.
- Holds a Master of Arts degree from Abo Academy, Finland.
- In 1988, started working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.
- From 1989 to 1990 - Attaché, Deputy Consul in the Consulate General of Finland in Leningrad.
- From 2001 to 2004 – Director of the Department for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.
- In 2004-2007 – Ambassador of Finland to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
- In 2007-2009 – Head of the OSCE Mission in Georgia.
- In 2009-2012 – Ambassador of Finland to India and Nepal.
- From 2012 to 2016, headed the Department for Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.
- From 2016 to 2020 – Permanent Representative of Finland to the UN, WTO, and other international organizations in Geneva.
- On July 1, 2021, was appointed as an EU Special Representative for Central Asia. Prior to this appointment, held the post of Ambassador for Countering Hybrid Threats, Technology and Security at the Finnish Foreign Ministry.
YUN BYUNG-SE
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (2013-2017)
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (2013-2017)
- Born on August 3, 1953.
- Prominent statesman and diplomat of the Republic of Korea.
- As Foreign Minister, Yun Byung-Se has been involved in resolving issues such as North Korea's nuclear and missile threat, as well as Korea's relations with its major neighbors. He has frequently addressed numerous regional and global meetings, both governmental and non-governmental, including the UN and WEF.
- Before becoming the head of MFA, he served as Deputy National Security Advisor to the President, responsible for Korea's foreign policy, defense, and association policy, and as Senior Coordinator (Deputy Minister) in the National Security Council of the Presidential Office.
- During his diplomatic service, he worked in the United States, Singapore, and Australia, as well as in the Geneva and New York offices of the United Nations.
- Since 2018, he has been a founding member of the Korea Peace Foundation, which includes former ministers and parliamentarians, heads of mass media and international organizations, scientists, and experts.
- Member of the Astana Club's Consultative Council.
VLADIMIR YAKUNIN
Head of the Public Policy Department, Faculty of Political Science,
Moscow State University, Supervisory Board Chairman
of the Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute
Head of the Public Policy Department, Faculty of Political Science,
Moscow State University, Supervisory Board Chairman
of the Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute
- Born on June 30, 1948.
- Prominent statesman of Russian Federation.
- In 1972 graduated from the Leningrad Mechanical Institute with a degree in aircraft construction.
- In 1975-1977 served in the USSR Armed Forces, after which worked as an engineer in the State Committee of the USSR Council of Ministers for Foreign Economic Relations.
- In 1985-1991 served as the second and first Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the USSR to the UN and worked in the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
- In different years held the positions of Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, First Deputy Minister of Railway Transport, President of JSC Russian Railways.
- Since 2010, serves as Head of the Public Policy Department, Faculty of Political Science, Moscow State University.
- In July 2016, co-founded the Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute in Berlin.
- Holds memberships in a number of scientific organizations and societies, including the Russian Society of Political Scientists, the Board of Trustees of the Russian Academy of Education, the Advisory Board of the Beijing Forum, the Board of Trustees of the Russian Military Historical Society.
YAN XUETONG
Director of the Institute of International Relations, Tsinghua University, author of bestseller Moral Realism and Strategy for China's Rise
Director of the Institute of International Relations, Tsinghua University, author of bestseller Moral Realism and Strategy for China's Rise
- Born on December 7, 1952.
- In 1982, received a B.A. of English from Heilongjiang University, in 1986 received a M.A. from the Institute of International Relations in Beijing.
- In 1992, received a Ph.D. of political science from the University of California, Berkeley.
- Vice chairman of both the China Association of International Relations Studies and the China Association of American Studies.
- Member of the Consultation Committee of China's Ministry of Commerce. Yan also serves on several boards, including those of the China Diplomacy Association and the China Association of Foreign Friendship.
- Since 2000, has headed the Institute of International Studies at Tsinghua University, and since 2006, he has been one of the editors–in-chief of the Chinese Journal of International Politics.
- In 2008, he was named as one of world's Top 100 Global Thinkers by the Foreign Policy.
BAN KI-MOON
President and Chairman of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), 8th Secretary General of the United Nations (2007-2016)
President and Chairman of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), 8th Secretary General of the United Nations (2007-2016)
- Born on June 13, 1944.
- Holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from Seoul National University, and a master's degree in public administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
- In 1970, started his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea. In 1987 to 1990 served as counselor to the South Korean embassy in Washington, D.C.
- In 1990-1992 - Head of the US Department of the South Korean Foreign Ministry. Served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country (1995-1996), as well as National Security Advisor to the President (1996-1998).
- In 1998-2000 - Ambassador of South Korea to Austria and Slovenia. At the same time, he chaired the Preparatory Committee of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
- From 2004 to 2006, during his tenure as Foreign Minister of South Korea, he played a key role in advancing the six-party talks on the DPRK nuclear issue.
- In January 2007, was elected to the post of UN Secretary General, and in 2011 by unanimous decision was re-elected for a second term.
- In February 2018, was elected as the President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).
- Fluent in English, French, Italian, German and Japanese.
- Jihad AzourSee more
Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, IMF - José Manuel BarrosoSee more
President of the European commission (2004-2014), Prime Minister of Portugal (2002-2004) - Kjell Magne Bondevik
- Tobias Borck
- Nino BurjanadzeSee more
Chairwoman of the party United Georgia –Democratic Movement, Interim President of Georgia (2003-2004, 2007-2008), Chairwoman of Parliament of Georgia (2001-2008) - Luke Coffey
- Ariel CohenSee more
Senior fellow at the Atlantic council, Director of the Energy, Growth and Security Program, ITIC - Lisa CurtisSee more
Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) - David Daokui LiSee more
Founding dean of the Schwarzman scholars, Tsinghua University, Co-Chairman of the Society for the Analysis of Government & Economics (SAGE) - Steve Durbin
- Mohamed ElbaradeiSee more
2005 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (1997-2009) - Evan FeigenbaumSee more
Vice President for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Deputy Assistant US Secretary of State (2001-2009) - Beatrice FihnSee more
2017 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Executive Director, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons - Franco FrattiniSee more
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy (2002-2004, 2008-2011), Vice-President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security (2004-2008) - Ian GoldinSee more
Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford, author of the bestseller "Age of Discovery: Navigating the Risks and Rewards of Our New Renaissance" - Nik GowingSee more
Founder and Director, Thinking the Unthinkable, Visiting Professor at Kings College, London, BBC World News presenter (1996-2014) - Jonathan Granoff
- Abdullah Gül
- Terhi Hakala
- Wang Huiyao
- Vladislav Inozemtsev
- Vuk JeremicSee more
President of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD), President of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia (2007-2012) - Angela KaneSee more
Sam Nunn Distinguished Fellow, Nuclear Threat Initiative, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs (2012-2015), Under Secretary General in the UN (2008-2012) - Hamid Karzai
- Ban Ki-MoonSee more
8th Secretary-General of the United Nations (2007-2016), President and Chair of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) - Shinichi KitaokaSee more
President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) - Andrey Kortunov
- Krisha Kumar
- Yves Leterme
- James Lindsay
- Johannes F. LinnSee more
Vice President of the World Bank for Europe and Central Asia (1991-2003), Nonresident Senior Fellow, the Brookings Institution - Edward LuttwakSee more
President, ENL Associates, Senior Associate at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) - Bruno MaçãesSee more
Author of the bestseller "The Dawn of Eurasia", Senior Advisor at Flint Global, Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal (2013-2015) - Vladimir NorovSee more
Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan (2006-2010) - Michael PillsburySee more
Director of the Center on Chinese Strategy, Hudson Institute, Adviser to Presidents R.Reagan, J.Bush (Sr.), D.Trump, author of the bestseller "The Hundred-Year Marathon: China's Secret Strategy" - Gideon RachmanSee more
Chief foreign affairs commentator, Financial Times - Kevin Rudd
- Urban RusnákSee more
Secretary-General of the Energy Charter Secretariat - Samir Saran
- Jonathan TeppermanSee more
General Editor in chief, Foreign Policy, author of the book "The Fix: How Countries Use Crises to Solve the World's Worst Problems" - Dmitri TreninSee more
Director, Carnegie Moscow Center - Danilo Türk
- Marc UzanSee more
Executive Director and Founder, Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee (RBWC) - Alyn WareSee more
Global Coordinator, Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament - Yan XuetongSee more
Director of the Institute of International Relations, Tsinghua University, author of bestseller "Moral Realism and Strategy for China's Rise" - Vladimir YakuninSee more
Professor, Head of State Policy Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University and Visiting Professor at Peking University - Lassina ZerboSee more
Executive Secretary Emeritus of the CTBTO, Laureate of the Nazarbayev prize for nuclear free world and global security (2019)
