The European Union, the UN and a Volatile World (Video)

Ambassador João Vale de Almeida
Head of the European Union Delegation to the United Nations

João Vale de Almeida is a senior European Union diplomat who has recently been appointed as EU Ambassador to the United Nations from 16 October 2015.

Ambassador Vale de Almeida previously served as the first EU Ambassador to the United States of America, from 2010 to 2014. In Washington, he actively engaged in strengthening EU/U.S. relations and was critical to the launching of negotiations of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

Prior to his appointment in Washington, Ambassador Vale de Almeida served as Director General of External Relations of the European Commission, the European Union’s executive body. As the most senior official under the authority of the High Representative/Vice-President, he helped formulate and execute the EU’s foreign policy and played a key role in preparing for the new European External Action Service (EEAS) introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon.

Between 2004 and 2009, Ambassador Vale de Almeida was the Head of Cabinet (Chief of staff and main adviser) for European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. He accompanied President Barroso in all European Council (EU Summit) meetings and ensured coordination with the private offices of Heads of State and Government in all 28 Member States of the EU. He was also the President’s Personal Representative for the negotiations on the Treaty of Lisbon.

Ambassador Vale de Almeida also acted as the EU “Sherpa” for G8 and G20 Summits between 2005 and 2010. In this capacity he prepared and attended annual G8 Summits in Gleneagles, UK; St Petersburg, RU; Heiligendamm, DE; Toyako-Hokkaido, JP; L’Aquila, IT; and Muskoka, CA. He accompanied President Barroso in the launching of G20 Summits in late 2008 in Washington and in subsequent meetings in London, Pittsburgh and Toronto in 2009 and 2010. He also attended Summit meetings with EU’s strategic partners around the world and with the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Immediately before joining President Barroso’s team in 2004, João Vale de Almeida held a senior position in the Directorate General for Education and Culture after serving as Deputy Chief Spokesman of the European Commission.

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