Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN
A graduate of the Paris Higher Business School, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, President of Leaders for Peace,
served as Prime Minister from 2002 to 2005 during Jacques Chirac’s presidency. Prior to this, he was
elected Senator of Vienne in 1995 before being appointed Minister of Small and Medium-sized
Enterprises, Trade, and Handicrafts in the government of Alain Juppe that same year, a position he held
until 1997. Following his term as Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin served as Vice-President of the
Senate from 2011 to 2014 and as President of the Senate’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense, and
Armed Forces from 2014 to 2017. In 2018, he was appointed Special Representative for the French
government to China by President Emmanuel Macron. In 2017, he co-founded with Ms. Donia Kaouach
the Leaders for Peace Foundation, bringing together various international dignitaries to propose new
approaches to peace and raise awareness among leaders and public opinion about the risks of war,
regional or global armed conflicts.
Antony BLINKEN
Antony Blinken served as the former Deputy Secretary of State of the United States during the
presidency of Barack Obama. As the second-ranking official in the U.S. diplomatic apparatus, he played
a pivotal role in key diplomatic initiatives, including the fight against ISIS, the rebalancing of relations with
Asia, and the global refugee crisis. Blinken served as an advisor to Vice President Joe Biden on the
White House National Security Council during Obama’s presidency, having previously assisted Biden on
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He also served on the National Security Council under
President Bill Clinton. Antony Blinken, a regular contributor to the New York Times and a commentator
on CNN, is the author of the notable work titled « Ally Versus Ally: America, Europe, and the Siberian
Pipeline Crisis ». Having spent a portion of his adolescence in France and completed his baccalaureate
in Paris, Antony Blinken pursued his education at Harvard and Columbia University. Currently, Antony Blinken holds the position of Secretary of State in the administration of President Joe Biden.
Enrico LETTA
Enrico Letta, an Italian politician, has held some of the highest offices in his country. Serving as a
minister multiple times, an Italian deputy, and a Member of the European Parliament, he was the Prime
Minister of Italy from 2013 to 2014. Hailing from Pisa, he also served as the dean of the School of
International Affairs at Sciences Po in Paris, which hosts 1500 students from 100 different nationalities.
Enrico Letta, the author of numerous works on Europe, was awarded the rank of Commander of the
Legion of Honour in 2017. On March 14, 2021, he was elected as the Secretary of the Italian Democratic
Party. Currently, he holds the position of President of the Jacques Delors Institute.
BAN Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon served as the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) from 2007 to 2016. One of
the Secretary-General’s early initiatives was the organization of a Summit on Climate Change in 2007.
He also successfully advocated for the creation of UN-Women among global leaders. Prior to his election
as the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the
Republic of Korea. Over his 37-year career at the Ministry, he held various positions, including that of
advisor to the President on foreign policy and national security.
Enrique BARON-CRESPO
Enrique Barón-Crespo, former Minister of Transport of Spain, was elected as a Member of the European
Parliament in 1987 before becoming the President of the European Parliament in 1989. In 1992, he
assumed the presidency of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security. In 1999, he was elected as
the President of the Group of the Party of European Socialists. In 2004, he assumed the leadership of
the Committee on International Trade
Assia BENSALAH ALAOUI
As the itinerant Ambassador of King Mohammed VI of Morocco, Assia Ben Salah also serves as the Vice
President of the Morocco-Japan Friendship Association. A member of the Advisory Council of the Royal
Institute for Strategic Studies in Rabat, she has taught Law, Literature, and English Civilization.
Additionally, she is a member of the Advisory Council of the World Bank for the MENA region (Middle
East and North Africa). Assia Ben Salah Alaoui co-chairs the Group of Wise Persons on dialogue
between peoples and cultures in the Euro-Mediterranean space. She is the author of numerous
publications on the food crisis, security in the Mediterranean, disarmament and conflict prevention, as
well as intercultural dialogue.
Irina BOKOVA
Irina Bokova served as the Director-General of UNESCO from 2009 to 2017. In her leadership role at the
institution, she actively worked towards global gender equality and initiated efforts to combat the
financing of terrorism by addressing the illicit trafficking of cultural goods. As a Bulgarian politician, Irina
Bokova joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of her country in 1977, working in the Department of the
United Nations. She subsequently held various key positions, including interim Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Coordinator of Bulgaria’s relations with the European Union, Ambassador of Bulgaria to France,
Monaco, and UNESCO, and Personal Representative of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria to the
International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). In 2016, Forbes magazine recognized Irina Bokova
as one of the most influential women in the world.
Ouided BOUCHAMAOUI
Ouided Bouchamaoui is a businesswoman, shareholder, and board member of the Hedi Bouchamaoui
Group. In 2011, she made history as the first woman elected to lead the Tunisian Union of Industry,
Trade, and Handicrafts, a position she held until January 2018. In 2013, in collaboration with the Tunisian
General Labour Union, she initiated the National Dialogue, joined by the League of Human Rights and
the Bar Association. Together, they formed the Quartet, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in
2015. Ouided Bouchamaoui has received numerous honors, including the Legion of Honor. She is
dedicated to foundations focused on education, gender equality, and dialogue for peace.
Jean CHAREST
Jean Charest served as the Premier of Quebec from 2003 to 2012. Trained as a lawyer, he entered
politics in the 1990s and became the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada in June 1993. A well-known and
respected figure in his country, Jean Charest played a key role in initiating the trade negotiations for the
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union. He
also worked towards the emergence of a sustainable development plan for northern Quebec, known as
the Plan Nord. Jean Charest has since retired from active political life and has returned to his original
profession, practicing law in a prominent Canadian law firm.
Anna-Maria CORAZZA-BILDT
Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, born on March 10, 1963, in Rome, is a Swedish politician and member of the
Moderate Party. She was elected to the European Parliament in the 2009 European elections and
re-elected in 2014. She served within the Group of the European People’s Party and was a member of
the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, as well as the Committee on Women’s
Rights and Gender Equality. In addition to her committee responsibilities, she co-chaired the European
Parliament’s Intergroup on the Rights of the Child and is a member of the Intergroup on LGBT Rights.
Justine COULIDIATI KIELEM
Committed to gender issues « since childhood, » Justine Coulidiati Kielem holds a doctorate in
socio-economics and is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Ouga2. She specializes in the
management and international comparison of education and training systems at the Institute for
Research in Education (IREDU) in Dijon, where she completed a Diploma of Higher Specialized Studies
(DESS), a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA), and a unique thesis in education sciences. Recently
selected to represent the Women’s Platform of the G5 Sahel, established on July 23, 2018, in
N’Djamena, Chad, she has been actively involved in advocacy and training for « mediators » and « women
leaders. » Her ambition is to amplify their voices in the fight against terrorism.
Elisabeth DECREY-WARNER
Elisabeth Decrey Warner served as a member of the Parliament of the Republic and Canton of Geneva
for 12 years, being elected president in 2000. She is the founder of the Geneva Call and served as its
executive president until 2017. Over a span of 20 years, she conducted negotiations with non-state
armed actors on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts and the adherence to humanitarian and
human rights law. Internationally recognized for her commitment to peace, she was nominated for
Switzerland in the « 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize » project. She holds the title of Knight of the
Legion of Honour, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Geneva, and
received the Hesse Prize in Germany. In 2022, she published « Une femme sur les terres des rebelles, » a
memoir reflecting on her journey and experiences.
Vuslat DOGAN SABANCI
Vuslat Doğan Sabancı is a prominent leader in the business and civil society sectors. Between 1996 and
2018, she worked at Hürriyet Publishing, Turkey’s leading newspaper publishing group. During the last
decade of her tenure at Hürriyet, she served as the Chairwoman of the Board. While spearheading the
company’s major digital transformation, she also played a leading role in establishing an editorial policy
that brought attention to gender equality and human rights issues. With the launch of the « No to
Domestic Violence » campaign in 2004, she broke a significant taboo in Turkey. She also established the
first 24/7 Turkish helpline against domestic violence, which is still in operation. In 2020, Ms. Doğan
Sabancı founded the Vuslat Foundation (www.vuslatfoundation.org), the first and only global
philanthropic initiative from Turkey. The foundation aims to make the skill of generous listening – hearing
beyond words – central to all connections by 2030. As part of this mission, the foundation supports
academic research on listening, raises awareness by collaborating with artists and storytellers, and
develops generous listening practices for youth and civil society. The foundation, invited as a special
project partner to the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale, presents art enthusiasts with the monumental
installation « The Listener » by the renowned Italian artist Giuseppe Penone from May 22 to November 21,
2021, to draw attention to generous listening within the biennale’s theme « How will we live together? ».
Vuslat Doğan Sabancı holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Bilkent University and completed
her graduate studies in international relations and media at Columbia University in New York. Currently,
she serves on the boards of Doğan Group, Hepsi Emlak, and Hepsiburada. She is the Vice President of
the Aydın Doğan Foundation, which promotes girls’ education and women’s empowerment in Turkey.
She is a member of the Global Leadership Council at Columbia University. Ms. Vuslat Doğan Sabancı is
a lifetime honorary member of the board of the International Press Institute (IPI), which supports freedom
of expression and media worldwide. She is a founding member of the board of Endeavor Turkey, an
NGO that encourages high-impact entrepreneurship, a founding member of the Turkish
Businesswomen’s Association (TIKAD), and an active member of the Ashoka Support Network in Turkey.
She also serves on the board of the Global Relations Forum (GIF/GRF) and is a member of Synergos’
Global Philanthropy Circle.
Moussa FAKI MAHAMAT
H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, born on June 21, 1960, the Chadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, was elected
as the new President of the African Union Commission. Fluent in French, Arabic, and English, H.E.
Mahamat has held high-ranking positions with a thirty-year experience. As a lawyer, he has served as a
minister on multiple occasions, held the position of Director of the Civil Cabinet of the President of the
Republic, served as Prime Minister, and led the government. He also served as the President of a major
institution of the Republic, namely the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council, where he dealt with and
managed significant issues. H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat presided over the United Nations Security
Council in December 2015 and led the general debate on December 19, 2015, on the theme « Threats to
international peace and security: terrorism and transnational organized crime ». He also chaired the
African Union Peace and Security Council in September 2013 and led the Extraordinary Summit in
Nairobi on the fight against terrorism. Peace and security issues in Africa have been at the forefront of
Mr. Mahamat’s activities, along with numerous other missions focused on the well-being of the continent.
The President of the Commission is the chief executive, legal representative of the AU, and chief
accountant of the president. He is directly accountable to the Executive Council for the performance of
his functions.
Donia KAOUACH
After studying law and finance in Paris, Donia Kaouach began her career in investment banking,
focusing on mergers and acquisitions in Paris and later in London for international investment banks and
sovereign wealth funds. In 2011, she transitioned to civil society by joining a think tank called Karama
Advocacy for Democracy in Tunisia. The association’s mission was to convey the messages of the
revolution in Europe, particularly to the British media where she was based. The think-and-do tank
supported the Tunisian transitional government on the issue of regional development disparities. In 2012,
Donia Kaouach embarked on an entrepreneurial project in the chemical industry. This project, with
French and Tunisian partners, specialized in manufacturing active ingredients for international markets
and was based in Tunisia. In 2015, she became politically active in France and joined the national
campaign team of Alain Juppé. She worked with the candidate on mobilization strategy, the development
of a program on gender equality, and the organization of the candidate’s events in North Africa.
Convinced of the crucial role of women in the development of Tunisian society, she founded the think
tank « Tunisiennes fières » in June 2016. This think tank brings together Tunisian women leaders in
politics, economics, culture, and civil society. Its mission is to promote Tunisia and the actions of
Tunisian women to international decision-makers and organize their political action at the local level. The
international actions of the think tank have been recognized with several awards. In July 2016, she was
elected to the Board of Directors of the think tank « Femmes, Débat et Société » (FDS) chaired by Senator
Catherine Dumas and co-founded by former Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin. She is particularly
involved in relations with Tunisia and Africa. FDS gathers French women leaders and numerous female
political figures. In partnership with Isabelle d’Ornano, President of the Sisley Group, « Tunisiennes
Fières » awards the Prize for Innovative Projects to a Tunisian personality every year. This endowed prize
aims to support the development of value-creating projects and promote female entrepreneurship in
Tunisia. In 2016, she became a special advisor to the Women’s Forum for Economy and Society. In
2017, she was appointed Secretary-General of the Leaders for Peace foundation by former Prime
Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin. In 2017, she was chosen to represent Tunisia at the Women’s Forum for
Economy and Society for the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. In 2018, the Tunisian government
selected her to represent Tunisian civil society at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). In
2017, she received the MED 21 Award for the best female personality from the southern shore of the
Mediterranean. In March 2019, the Tunisian government honored her as the best civil society personality
for the international actions of « Tunisiennes Fières. »
KHALIL KARAM
Khalil Karam served as the former Vice-Rector of University Saint-Joseph in Beirut and as the
representative of the head of state at the International Organization of La Francophonie between 2008
and 2013. From 2009 to 2011, he also served as a member of the board of directors of the Agence
universitaire de la francophonie. As the Ambassador of Lebanon to UNESCO from 2013 to 2017, he was
also the Chargé d’Affaires to the Holy See in 2018.
Ambassador Karam has been appointed Officer of the Legion of Honor (France) and Commander in the
Order of Academic Palms (France).
Quan KONG
Former Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Kong QUAN was initially
appointed Ambassador to Belgium before becoming, in 2008, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic
of China to France. A francophile and a keen connoisseur of European issues, he also served as a
senior official at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overseeing European affairs. He is a member,
with the rank of Minister, of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party in charge of foreign
affairs. Kong QUAN was appointed Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour in 2013.
Kabiné KOMARA
Kabiné Komara began his career in finance, serving in various capacities within Guinea’s Ministry of
Finance and Economy. He later held executive positions in international financial institutions, including
the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In 2008, Kabiné
Komara was appointed as Prime Minister of Guinea by then-President Moussa Dadis Camara. He
served in this role during a critical period of transition following a military coup. During his tenure,
Komara worked to stabilize the country, promote democracy, and improve governance. After leaving
office as Prime Minister, Komara continued his involvement in national and international affairs. He has
been involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting economic development, good governance, and
peace in Guinea and across Africa
Eduardo MALONE
Eduardo Malone co-manages Pathé, one of the earliest film companies in Europe, involved in various
aspects of production, distribution, and exhibition through its subsidiary « Les Cinémas Gaumont Pathé ».
He has led numerous companies, including Chargeurs, of which he became Chairman and CEO in 1996.
In the early 2000s, he was a member of the Strategic Council of Médef International and also chaired
several organizations in the textile sector. As a board member of Olympique Lyonnais and a member of
the Diocesan Council of Paris, Eduardo Malone was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur.
Lord Peter MANDELSON
Former First Secretary of State, former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, and a staunch
supporter of Europe, Lord Mandelson was one of the key figures in the transformation of the British
Labour Party. As a former European Commissioner for Trade in Brussels and a two-time minister, Peter
Mandelson wrote his memoirs, published two months after leaving office. A member of the very exclusive
Bilderberg Group, Peter Mandelson has joined numerous international institutions and currently chairs a
think tank dedicated to public policies
Péter MEDGYESSY
An economist by training, Péter Medgyessy served as Minister of Finance in 1987. During the political
changes following the fall of the Berlin Wall, he became Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary in charge of
economic affairs before being appointed Prime Minister in 2002. Péter Medgyessy has also led banks
and insurance companies in Hungary. As an Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador, Péter
Medgyessy is actively involved in numerous think tanks in Europe.
Amr Mahmoud MOUSSA
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amr Moussa has represented Egypt multiple times at the United
Nations. He chaired the Arab League for 10 years, from 2001 to 2011. In 2012, he founded a political
party, the Congress Party of Egypt, which opposed President Morsi. The former minister was elected
president of the committee responsible for amending the constitution, approved in January 2014. In
Egypt, he is a member of several boards, including the Nile University and the British University in Cairo.
Yin MYO SU
Yin Myo Su leads the Inle Princess group and founded the Inle Heritage Foundation. In Myanmar, she is
one of the prominent figures in sustainable development and the preservation of cultural heritage around
Inle Lake in the Shan State, where she was born and raised. Yin Myo Su, who completed a significant
part of her studies in France and Europe in the field of hospitality, is actively involved in advocating for
women’s rights and promoting their autonomy in her country. Through her foundation, she facilitates
training for the youth, particularly in the areas of hospitality and sustainable tourism. In October 2016,
she was awarded the Knight of the National Order of Merit.
Ton Nu Thi NINH
Mrs. Ninh began her diplomatic career as an interpreter, considering it an important period of training
before becoming a diplomat. Between 2000 and 2003, she held the position of Ambassador of Vietnam
to Belgium and Luxembourg and Head of Mission to the European Commission in Brussels. Elected as a
deputy from 2003 to 2007, she served as Vice President of the Foreign Affairs Committee, responsible
for relations with countries in North America and Western Europe. In February 2013, she was awarded
the Legion of Honour, having previously received the « Officer » insignia of this order and was elevated to
the higher rank of « Commander. » On March 20, 2013, International Francophonie Day, she received the
2013 Francophonie Honor Award from the GADIF – Group of Embassies, Delegations, and Francophone
Institutions in Vietnam, recognizing her commitment and enthusiasm for the French language and the
values of peace and solidarity.
Alexandre ORLOV
Graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1971, Alexandre Orlov served as
the Director of the First European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian
Federation. He later became the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the Council of
Europe in Strasbourg before being appointed as the Director of the Department for Relations with
Federal Entities, Parliament, and Non-Governmental Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
the Russian Federation. In 2008, he was appointed as the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to France and the Principality of Monaco. He concluded his
ambassadorial role in 2017 and became the Executive Secretary General of the Trianon Dialogue.
Antonio de AGUIAR PATRIOTA
Antonio de Aguiar Patriota has been the Ambassador of Brazil to Egypt since 2019. Prior to this, he
served as the Ambassador of Brazil to Italy, Malta, and San Marino from 2016 to 2019. Throughout his
diplomatic career, he held positions in Geneva, New York, Beijing, and Caracas. He served as the
Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations between 2013 and 2016, where he notably
chaired the 60th and 61st sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women from 2013 to 2014. Born
in 1954 in Rio de Janeiro, Ambassador Antonio Patriota was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil in
the early 2000s. He is the author of a recognized thesis on the United Nations Security Council after the
Gulf War.
Hans-Gert PÖTTERING
Hans-Gert Pöttering, elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 1979, served as the President
of the parliamentary group of the European People’s Party (EPP) for almost 10 years. Later, he became
the President of the European Parliament from 2007 to 2009. He played a key role in the establishment
of the House of European History, which opened its doors in Brussels in May 2017. Since 2010, he has
been presiding over the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, representing it as the Delegate for European
Affairs.
Romano PRODI
Romano Prodi is an Italian politician. He served as Minister of Industry in 1978 and later held the position
of Prime Minister twice, in the late 1990s and mid-2000s. During his first term, he played a crucial role in
leading Italy to join the Eurozone. Romano Prodi served as the President of the European Commission
from 1999 to 2005, overseeing significant milestones such as the launch of the Euro, the accession of 10
new countries, and the establishment of a constitution for Europe. A professor at prestigious universities
in the United States and China, Romano Prodi is the president of a Foundation for International
Cooperation. He also chairs the United Nations High-Level Panel on Peace in Africa.
Cherif RAHMANI
Dr. Chérif Rahmani, a doctor of regional planning and a graduate of the National School of
Administration, has served in various ministerial roles in his home country, Algeria, including Youth and
Sports, Equipment, Regional Planning, Tourism, and Industry. In 2002, he founded the Foundation of the
Deserts of the World and was appointed as the spokesperson for the United Nations’ International Year
for Deserts and Desertification in the same year. Chérif Rahmani played a key role in coordinating
climate negotiations for African ministers, participating in COP15 in Copenhagen, COP16 in Cancun, and
COP17 in Durban. Recognized multiple times for his environmental advocacy and efforts against
desertification, Chérif Rahmani has authored several works on Algeria
Martha Isabel PATI RUIZ CORZO
Martha Isabel Ruiz Corzo, also known as Pati, is a prominent figure in environmental conservation in
Latin America. In 1987, she founded the Ecological Group of the Sierra Gorda in her native Mexico to
protect the mountains, forming an extensive private nature reserve where nearly 650 impoverished rural
communities reside. Through training programs for these communities, Sierra Gorda has become a
model for biodiversity preservation and a sought-after destination for ecotourism. Pati led this nature
reserve for 14 years. She has received numerous environmental awards, including the Wangari Maathai
Award, named after the Kenyan biologist and the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
This prestigious award recognizes her dedication to environmental conservation.
Surakiart SATHIRATHAI
A Harvard graduate, Surakiart Sathirathai served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand. He also
headed various ministries in his country, including Foreign Affairs and Finance. As a member of
parliament, he held positions in regional Asian organizations such as APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation) and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Serving on multiple boards, he is
also associated with several prestigious universities in Asia, particularly in his home country, Thailand.
Kanwal SIBAL
Kanwal Sibal served as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of India from July 2002 to
November 2003. He held diplomatic positions such as India’s Ambassador to Turkey, Deputy Chief of
Mission in the United States with the rank of Ambassador, Ambassador to Egypt, Ambassador to France
from 1998 to 2002, and Ambassador to Russia from 2004 to 2007. He was a member of the National
Security Advisory Board of the Indian government from 2008 to 2010. Kanwal Sibal regularly contributes
to articles on international affairs to Indian newspapers and periodicals.
Maria VAN DER HOEVEN
Maria van der Hoeven, a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal, served as the Secretary-General
of the Christian Democratic parliamentary group. In 2002, she joined the government of Jan Peter
Balkenende and initially held the position of Minister of Education, Culture, and Science. In 2007, she
became the Minister of Economic Affairs, where she distinguished herself through a significant
restructuring of the energy sector. In 2011, she took over as the Executive Director of the International
Energy Agency (IEA). During her tenure, several non-member states of the IEA strengthened their
commitments, including China, Brazil, and Mexico. As a member of the Global Commission on the
Economy and Climate, Maria van der Hoeven initiated various discussions with economic and
institutional actors regarding the energy-related risks associated with climate change. Since 2014, she
has been a member of the Advisory Board of the United Nations’ « Energy for All » initiative. In 2015, she
joined the Board of Trustees of the Rocky Mountain Institute. In 2016, she became a member of the
Board of Directors of Total. Since 2015, she has been an Associate Fellow at the Clingendael
International Energy Program.
Pierre VIMONT
Pierre Vimont is the Ambassador of France and serves as the President’s Representative for Security
and Trust Architecture with Russia. He previously held the position of Director of the Cabinet of the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador of France to the United States, and Executive Secretary-General
of the European External Action Service (EEAS). Pierre Vimont is a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie
Europe Foundation, a former Ambassador of France to the United States, and Executive
Secretary-General of the European External Action Service. He has also been granted the rank of
Ambassador of France. In 2015, he was appointed Personal Envoy of the President of the European
Council, Donald Tusk. In this capacity, he led the preparations for the Valletta Summit between the EU
and African countries, aimed at addressing the root causes of illegal migration and combating human
trafficking. Pierre Vimont also served as the Special Envoy for the French initiative for a peace
conference in the Middle East in 2016. In 2019, French President Emmanuel Macron appointed him as
the Special Envoy for Security and Trust Architecture with Russia. He is also a Knight of the National
Order of Merit.
Marius VIZER
A graduate of the Military Academy of Romania, Marius Vizer began his career as a Judoka in 1974 and
became a coach in 1982. Between 1998 and 2000, he served as the President of the Romanian Judo
Federation, and from 2000 to 2007, he became the President of the European Judo Union. Concurrently,
he held the position of Vice President of the International Judo Federation and assumed its presidency in
2007.
Motohide YOSHIKAWA
In 2006, Ambassador Yoshikawa was promoted to the rank of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Ambassador and was posted to Spain, where he served until 2009. He became the first Japanese
ambassador to receive the highest Spanish decoration while remaining ambassador to Spain. From
2009 to 2010, Ambassador Yoshikawa served as the first Special Representative of Japan for
Afghanistan and Pakistan. From 2010 to 2013, he was the ambassador and permanent representative to
the OECD in Paris. At the OECD, he chaired the Executive Committee for nearly three years. In June
2013, he was appointed ambassador and permanent representative of Japan to the United Nations, a
position he held for three years. He led the campaign for Japan’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on
the Security Council. In 2015, Japan won the elections with 184 votes, the highest result ever recorded in
the General Assembly. Ambassador Yoshikawa was a member of the Security Council. During this
period, he played a crucial role in the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2270 against the nuclear
test conducted by North Korea. In 2016, on behalf of Japan, he signed the Paris Agreement on climate
change. After 42 years of diplomatic service, Ambassador Yoshikawa was appointed a distinguished
professor at his alma mater, the International Christian University (ICU), in April 2017, where he teaches
international relations and diplomacy.
Tertius ZONGO
Tertius Zongo served as Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance in Burkina Faso. He has
also held several high-level positions in the Burkinabe administration. Tertius Zongo has developed a
thorough understanding of development issues and financing. He notably played a significant role in
raising awareness about development and security challenges within the African Development Bank
(AfDB) or the Foundation for International Development Studies and Research (FERDI). In this capacity,
he is a co-author of several publications, including one published in 2016 by FERDI titled « Combining
Security and Development: Advocacy for the Sahel ». Currently, Tertius Zongo works as a Senior
Consultant and serves as a board member for various companies.