Ambassador Carlos Pascual is the State Department’s Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs. Secretary Clinton appointed Ambassador Pascual to this position, effective May 18, 2011. In this capacity, he advises the Secretary on energy issues, ensuring that energy security is advanced at all levels of U.S. foreign policy. Prior to his appointment, Ambassador Pascual served as the United States Ambassador to Mexico (2009-2011) and was Vice President and Director of the Foreign Policy Studies Program at the Brookings Institution (2003-2009).
During his extensive career in public service, Ambassador Pascual has held positions in the Department of State, the National Security Council (NSC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He served as Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization at the U.S. Department of State, where he led and organized U.S. government planning to help stabilize and reconstruct societies in transition from conflict or civil strife.
Ambassador Pascual served as Coordinator for U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia (2003), where he oversaw regional and country assistance strategies to promote market-oriented and democratic states. He also served as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2000-2003), Special Assistant to the President and NSC Senior Director for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia (1998-2000), and Director for the same region (1995-1998). Before then, Ambassador Pascual worked for USAID in Sudan, South Africa and Mozambique, and as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia (1983-1995).
Ambassador Pascual received his M.P.P. from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 1982 and his B.A. from Stanford University in 1980. He has served on the boards of directors for the National Endowment for Democracy, Freedom House, and the Internews Network. He has also served on the Advisory Group for the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.
