Michel Camdessus

One notable events during his tenure at the IMF was the 1997 East Asian financial crisis. His role during the crisis has drawn criticism, for not paying attention to the unique circumstances of the East Asian countries and blindly imposing the measures that were followed in Mexico, leading to considerable turmoil and rioting in countries such as Indonesia.

Born in Bayonne, France, Mr. Camdessus studied at the University of Paris and earned postgraduate degrees in economics from the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) in Paris and École nationale d'administration.

Camdessus is currently the president of the social initiative Semaines sociales de France (French social weeks), a social initiative, and a member of the Commission for Africa established by Tony Blair. He is also a member of the Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace.

Additionally, Camdessus is a member of the Africa Progress Panel (APP), a group of ten distinguished individuals who advocate at the highest levels for equitable and sustainable development in Africa. As part of this Panel, he contributes to coalition-building, leverage and broker knowledge sharing, and influencing policies for lasting change in Africa.