José Manuel Barroso
José Manuel Barroso
FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISION, FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF PORTUGAL & CHAIR OF GAVI, THE VACCINE ALLIANCE

José Manuel Barroso served as Prime Minister of Portugal and went on to lead the European Union as President of the European Commission from 2004 to 2014. During his decade at the helm of the EU, he oversaw a historic wave of enlargement, guided the bloc through the global financial crisis, and championed initiatives on climate action and regulatory reform. His tenure was marked by a commitment to unity, international cooperation, and democratic values, culminating in his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the EU in 2012.
Today, Barroso continues to shape the global agenda through his roles as Chair of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and Chairman and Senior Advisor at Goldman Sachs International. A passionate advocate for multilateralism and public service, he is also a visiting professor and author, sharing insights from a career that spans diplomacy, governance, and global development.