Charles Michel, President Emeritus of the European Council, is a distinguished global leader with extensive experience in navigating complex political, economic, and international challenges. Elected unanimously in 2019 and re-elected in 2022, Michel played a key role in guiding the EU through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine crisis, and significant global negotiations on trade, climate change, and security. Under his leadership, the EU launched the Next Generation EU recovery fund and coordinated a unified response to these global crises. Before his role at the European Council, Michel served as Belgium’s youngest-ever Prime Minister, where he led bold economic and social reforms. His diplomacy was instrumental in Belgium’s involvement in key international agreements, including the Global Compact for Migration. Michel engaged with global leaders, including Presidents Obama, Trump, Xi Jinping, and Putin, as well as Prime Ministers from Japan, the UK, and Italy, on issues ranging from security to economic cooperation. Michel’s extensive experience spans many countries and regions—working closely with the United States, China, Russia, India, the Western Balkans, and numerous countries across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. His successful mediation efforts in Georgia and the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan further showcase his diplomatic leadership. Trained as a lawyer at the Université Libre de Bruxelles and Universiteit van Amsterdam, Charles Michel’s political career began in Belgium with various local and national positions, including serving as the mayor of Wavre. Michel brings unmatched global expertise, making him a sought-after thought leader for corporate events focused on leadership, geopolitics, and international cooperation.