Christophe Lecourtier's New Role as Head of the French Development Agency
Christophe Lecourtier, who currently serves as the Ambassador of France to Morocco, has been appointed to lead the French Development Agency (AFD) as of Tuesday, March 10, according to reports from Le Monde. This appointment, which has received the endorsement of the executive branch, still requires approval from the French Parliament. The AFD stands as one of France's key instruments for international influence, emphasizing the significance of Lecourtier's new role on the global stage.
President Emmanuel Macron has chosen this seasoned diplomat to succeed Rémy Rioux, who has been at the helm of the agency since 2016, with his term set to conclude on May 3. Before Christophe Lecourtier's appointment can be officially confirmed during the Council of Ministers meeting, it must gain the approval of both the National Assembly and the Senate. Furthermore, it is subject to a favorable opinion from the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life, as outlined in a statement from the Élysée Palace.
At 63 years old and a graduate of the prestigious École Nationale d'Administration (ENA), Lecourtier has an extensive background in diplomacy, having served as an advisor to several ministers, including Nicolas Sarkozy and Christine Lagarde, during their tenures at the Ministry of Economy and Finance between 2004 and 2008. He later led Ubifrance, the agency responsible for promoting the internationalization of French businesses, and subsequently directed Business France, which emerged from the merger of Ubifrance and the French Agency for International Investments. Since December 2022, Lecourtier has been serving as the French Ambassador to Morocco, further enhancing his diplomatic portfolio.
As reported by es.yabiladi.com.