Enrique V. Iglesias
Enrique Valentín Iglesias García | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 29, 1930 Arancedo, Asturias, Spain |
| Occupation(s) | Economist, diplomat |
| Years active | 1954–present |
| Known for | President of the Central Bank of Uruguay (1967–1969); President of the Inter-American Development Bank (1988–2005) |
Enrique Valentín Iglesias García (born 29 July 1930 in Arancedo, Asturias) is an economist holding both Spanish and Uruguayan nationalities. He was appointed as the inaugural president of the Central Bank of Uruguay from 1967 to 1969 and later led the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as its President between 1988 and 2005. The IDB is dedicated to fostering economic progress in the Western Hemisphere through strategic investments and policy initiatives. In 2019, Iglesias took on the role of Special Adviser for Venezuela to Federica Mogherini, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Biography
Iglesias was born in Asturias, Spain, before his family relocated to Uruguay in 1934, where he obtained dual citizenship. He completed his studies in economics and business administration at Uruguay's Universidad de la República in 1953. Beginning his professional journey within the private banking sector, Iglesias eventually became president of Uruguay’s Central Bank from 1967 to 1969. Among his significant government positions was Minister of Foreign Relations, prior to his election as IDB president in 1988.
Throughout his leadership at the IDB, Iglesias managed major capital expansions, notably during the Seventh (1989) and Eighth (1994) General Increases in Resources, which augmented the Bank’s ordinary capital by US$26.5 billion and US$101 billion respectively.
He holds honorary membership with The Club of Rome, advocating for enhanced global governance frameworks. Additionally, Iglesias serves on the honour committee of the Fondation Chirac, founded in 2008 by former French President Jacques Chirac to promote peace worldwide.
Political views and controversy
Iglesias promotes open markets alongside multilateralism, emphasizing reforms in the energy sector. During his time at the IDB, the institution encountered criticism related to financing projects that allegedly impacted indigenous health. A report leaked by Amazon Watch revealed that respiratory illnesses caused by gas pipeline workers resulted in 22 indigenous deaths, affecting approximately 30% of the Nanti tribe since 1995—a particularly sensitive matter given the tribe’s minimal prior exposure to external diseases. The IDB responded to these concerns during a session held in Lima, Peru, in 2004.
Post-IDB Career
On June 1, 2005, Iglesias declared his intention to resign from the IDB presidency effective September 30 of that year. Subsequently, he assumed the position of secretary-general at the Ibero-American General Secretariat later in 2005, focusing on strengthening collaboration between Latin America, Spain, and Portugal.
He is affiliated with the Global Leadership Foundation, which supports democratic governance, conflict resolution, and open market policies by advising current world leaders. Iglesias also contributes to the Inter-American Dialogue think tank based in Washington D.C.
Honorary degrees
- 1991: Doctorate in Law from Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
- 1994: Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Mexico
- 1994: Cândido Mendes University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 2000: Southeastern Louisiana University, United States
- 2002: Honoris Causa Degree from Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Mexico
Honours and awards
- Prince of Asturias Award, Spain
- Honored as Favorite Son of Asturias and Oviedo, Spain
- Recipient of the Order of Rio Branco and the Order of the Southern Cross, Brazil
- Awarded the Grand Cross Silver of the National Order of Juan Mora Fernández, Costa Rica
- Decorated with the Legion of Honor, France
- 1987: Bestowed Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic, Spain
- Notre Dame Prize for Distinguished Public Service in Latin America, University of Notre Dame, United States
- 1999: Conferred the Order of Arts and Letters, France
- 2000: Granted the International Order of Merit by the City of New Orleans, U.S.
- 2006: Awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan
- 2014: Knighted in the Order of the Golden Fleece, Spain
Professional chronology
- 1954–1966: Managing Director at Unión de Bancos del Uruguay
- 1967–1969: President of the Central Bank of Uruguay
- 1972–1985: Executive Secretary for the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
- 1981: Secretary General for the United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy held in Kenya
- 1985–1988: Uruguay’s Minister of Foreign Relations
Published works
Iglesias produced several key publications addressing economic growth and energy strategy in Latin America, including:
- ECLAC and the Economic Relations of Latin America
- Perspectives on Economic Development in Latin America
- Uruguay, a Proposal for Change
- Latin America on the Threshold of the 1980s
- The Energy Challenge
- Development and Equity: The Challenge of the 1980s