Meet the Ambassador

Laurent Bili is the Ambassador of France to the United States.
He was born on August 12, 1961 (age 64).
 

Academic Background​

• Master’s degree in History

• Master’s degree in Political Science

• Graduate of the Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po)

• Graduate of the King Prajadhipok Institute (Thailand)

• Alumnus of the École nationale d’administration (ENA), Victor Hugo class of 199

 

Positions Held​

Mr. Laurent Bili is Minister Plenipotentiary, First Class.

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• He served in education from 1982 to 1988, then attended the École nationale d’administration (ENA) from 1989 to 1991.

• At the central administration, Directorate for Strategic and Disarmament Affairs, 1991–1993.

• Seconded to the Ministry of Defense as Deputy Diplomatic Adviser, 1993–1995.

• First Secretary and later Second Counselor in Ankara, 1995–1998.

• First Secretary and Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the Western European Union in Brussels, 1998–2000.

• Political and Security Committee Adviser, European Union, 2000–2002.

• At the central administration, Acting Deputy Director for Strategic Affairs, January–April 2002.

• Chief of Staff and then Adviser to the Minister Delegate for European Affairs, May–October 2002.

• Technical Adviser at the Diplomatic Office of the Presidency of the Republic, 2002–2007.

• Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Bangkok, 2007–2009.

• Director of the Civil and Military Cabinet of the Minister of Defense, 2009–2010.

• Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ankara, 2011–2015.

• Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Brasília, 2015–2017.

• At the central administration, Director General for Global Affairs, 2017–2019.

• Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Beijing since September 2019.

 

Honors and Awards

• Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor

• Silver Medal of Honor for Foreign Affairs
   

Languages Spoken

• English

• Spanish

• Portuguese

• Turkish