Pascal Lamy
Pascal Lamy | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 8, 1947 Levallois-Perret, France |
| Occupation(s) | Executive, political advisor |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Known for | Director-General of the World Trade Organization (2005–2013), European Commissioner for Trade (1999–2004) |
Pascal Lamy (born 8 April 1947) is a French executive and political advisor, recognized for his tenure as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) from 2005 until 2013. After being reappointed in 2009 for a second term, he was succeeded by Roberto Azevêdo. Prior to this, Lamy held the position of European Commissioner for Trade between 1999 and 2004. Presently, he provides guidance to the transatlantic policy group European Horizons and holds the title of Honorary President at the Paris-based think tank Notre Europe.
Early life
Lamy was born in Levallois-Perret, a suburb of Paris, and graduated near the top of his economics cohort from Sciences Po Paris, HEC Paris, and ÉNA. His professional journey began in public administration, where he advised prominent leaders such as Jacques Delors and Prime Minister Pierre Mauroy. He has been affiliated with the French Socialist Party since 1969.
European Commission
In 1979, Lamy served as Secretary General of the "Mayoux Committee" and occupied senior posts within the Treasury Department. When Jacques Delors assumed presidency of the European Commission in 1984, Lamy joined as his chief of staff, a role he retained until 1994. Renowned for his commanding leadership style, he played a pivotal role in directing Commission affairs.
He briefly moved into the private sector at Crédit Lyonnais, where he acted as deputy director and played a significant part in the bank’s restructuring and privatization processes.
Lamy returned to the European Commission in 1999 as Commissioner for Trade under President Romano Prodi, leading a strong civil service team. During this period, he actively promoted the Doha Development Round and pushed for reforms within the WTO.
Director-General of the WTO, 2005–2013
On 13 May 2005, Lamy was appointed director-general of the World Trade Organization, commencing his four-year term on 1 September 2005. He was nominated by the European Union and emerged victorious against contenders including Carlos Pérez del Castillo from Uruguay and Jaya Krishna Cuttaree from Mauritius.
On 30 April 2009, Lamy was unanimously confirmed by the WTO General Council for a second four-year term starting on 1 September 2009. In addition to his directorship, he chaired the organization's Trade Negotiations Committee and was recognized as the WTO's fifth director-general.
In 2009, Lamy became part of the High Level Commission on the Modernization of World Bank Group Governance led by Ernesto Zedillo, tasked with conducting an external evaluation of governance at the World Bank Group.
Later career
Beginning in 2019, Lamy has held the presidency of the Paris Peace Forum. He also serves on the advisory board of the Prague European Summit and took on the role of president for European operations at Brunswick Group that same year.
Corporate boards
- Danone, Member of the Mission Committee (since 2020)
- Bosch, Member of the International Advisory Committee (since 2015)
Non-profit organizations
- Africa Europe Foundation (AEF), Member of the High-Level Group on Africa-Europe Relations (since 2020)
- Berggruen Institute, Council Member for the Future of Europe
- Broader European Leadership Agenda (BELA), Advisory Board Member
- Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), Distinguished Fellow (since 2019)
- Centre for European Reform (CER), Advisory Board Member
- European Climate Foundation, Supervisory Board Member
- Europaeum, Trustee Board Member
- European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), Member
- European Horizons, Advisor
- Fondation européenne d'études progressistes (FEPS), Vice-President of its Bureau
- French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS), Honorary President of its Board
- Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Distinguished Senior Fellow
- Jacques Delors Centre at Hertie School, Advisory Board Member
- Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Board Member
- Les Musiciens du Louvre, President of its Board
- Women Political Leaders Global Forum (WPL), Global Advisory Board Member
- Transparency International, Advisory Council Member
- UNAIDS–Lancet Commission on Defeating AIDS, Member (2013–2015)
Personal life
Pascal Lamy is married and has three sons. He enjoys engaging in running and cycling during his leisure time.
Select publications
- Lamy, Pascal. The Geneva Consensus: Making Trade Work for All. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013.
- Lamy, Pascal. The Economic Summit and the European Community. Bissell Paper No. 5. Toronto: University of Toronto, Centre for International Studies, 1988.
Lectures
The Relationship between WTO Law and General International Law featured in the Lecture Series of the United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law
External links
- The private archives of Pascal Lamy are preserved at the Historical Archives of the European Union located in Florence
- Information about Pascal Lamy
- Profile of Commissioner Pascal Lamy
- Notre Europe
- "Pascal Lamy – Managing Global Expectations", The Globalist, 23 February 2006
- Pascal Lamy: Free Trade and Interdependence Help Promote Freedom – video segment by Democracy Now!