Youcef Yousfi
Encyclopedia
Dr Youcef Yousfi (born 2 October 1941 in Batna
, Algeria
) is the current Minister of Energy and Mines for Algeria. He is the former permanent representative, or Ambassador
for Algeria
to the United Nations
. He assumed the role on 19 January 2006, presenting his credentials to the Secretary-General
, Kofi Annan
. He was later appointed as a high official at the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
) in France
, and obtained a PhD
in physics
from the Université de Nancy. He also has a degree in economics
. He is married, and has three children.
, then a professor
of chemical engineering
at the National Polytechnic School, and then the Houari Boumediene
:University of Sciences and Technologies, both in Algiers
. He was also director of the Chemistry
Institute there. He was also an advisor at the Ministry of Industry and Energy on petroleum
affairs.
In the late 1970s, Youcef Yousfi was appointed as marketing Vice-President at Sonatrach
, and in 1985, he became CEO. In 1996, he became chief of staff to then-Algerian President
, Liamine Zéroual
. In 1997, he was appointed the Algerian Minister for Oil and Energy.
In early 1999, Yousfi became president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
of Algeria. On December 23, 1999, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
appointed him Foreign Minister
. He was replaced by Abdelaziz Belkhadem
in August 2000, when Yousfi moved on to become Minister-Delegate to then-Prime Minister of Algeria
, Ali Benflis
.
In April 2001, Yousfi was nominated as Ambassador for Algeria to Canada, before becoming Ambassador
to the United Nations
in 2006.
Batna City
Batna is the main city of Batna Province, Algeria. With a population of 285,800 it is the fifth largest city in Algeria. It is also one of the principal cities of the Chaoui area and is considered the capital of the Aures.-History:...
, Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
) is the current Minister of Energy and Mines for Algeria. He is the former permanent representative, or Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
for Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. He assumed the role on 19 January 2006, presenting his credentials to the Secretary-General
Secretary-General
-International intergovernmental organizations:-International nongovernmental organizations:-Sports governing bodies:...
, Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
. He was later appointed as a high official at the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Education
Yousfi graduated from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques (National School of Chemical EngineeringChemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
) in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and obtained a PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
from the Université de Nancy. He also has a degree in economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
. He is married, and has three children.
Career
Yousfi was a senior lecturerLecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
, then a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of chemical engineering
Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
at the National Polytechnic School, and then the Houari Boumediene
Houari Boumediene
Houari Boumedienne served as Algeria's Chairman of the Revolutionary Council from 19 June 1965 until 12 December 1976, and from then on as the fourth President of Algeria to his death on 27 December 1978.- Background :Mohamed Ben Brahim Boukharouba was born near Héliopolis in the province of...
:University of Sciences and Technologies, both in Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
. He was also director of the Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
Institute there. He was also an advisor at the Ministry of Industry and Energy on petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
affairs.
In the late 1970s, Youcef Yousfi was appointed as marketing Vice-President at Sonatrach
Sonatrach
Sonatrach is an Algerian government-owned company formed to exploit the hydrocarbon resources of the country. Its diversified activities cover all aspects of production: exploration, extraction, transport, and refining...
, and in 1985, he became CEO. In 1996, he became chief of staff to then-Algerian President
President of Algeria
The President of Algeria is the head of state and chief executive of Algeria, as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the Algerian armed forces.-History of the office:...
, Liamine Zéroual
Liamine Zéroual
Liamine Zéroual was the ninth President of Algeria from 31 January 1994 to 27 April 1999.He was born in Batna and joined the National Liberation Army in 1957, at the age of 16, to fight French rule of Algeria. After independence, he received training in Cairo, Moscow, and Paris...
. In 1997, he was appointed the Algerian Minister for Oil and Energy.
In early 1999, Yousfi became president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Political career
In 1997, Youcef Yousfi was first elected as a member of the People's National AssemblyPeople's National Assembly
The People's National Assembly is the lower house of the Algerian Parliament. It is composed of 380 members directly elected by the population....
of Algeria. On December 23, 1999, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Abdelaziz Bouteflika
Abdelaziz Bouteflika is the ninth President of Algeria. He has been in office since 1999. He continued emergency rule until 24 February 2011, and presided over the end of the bloody Algerian Civil War in 2002...
appointed him Foreign Minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
. He was replaced by Abdelaziz Belkhadem
Abdelaziz Belkhadem
Abdelaziz Belkhadem is an Algerian politician who is the Minister of State, Personal Representative of the Head of State. He previously served as Prime Minister of Algeria from 2006 to 2008. He is the Secretary-General of the National Liberation Front .Belkhadem was born in Aflou, Laghouat...
in August 2000, when Yousfi moved on to become Minister-Delegate to then-Prime Minister of Algeria
Prime Minister of Algeria
The Prime Minister is the head of government of Algeria.The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of Algeria, along with other ministers and members of the government that the new Prime Minister recommends. The People's National Assembly must approve the legislative program of the new...
, Ali Benflis
Ali Benflis
Ali Benflis is a politician in Algeria and former Prime Minister from 2000 to 2003. As of 2003, he is the general secretary of the National Liberation Front party. He was defeated in the Algerian presidential election of April 8, 2004 by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, taking only 6.4% of the...
.
In April 2001, Yousfi was nominated as Ambassador for Algeria to Canada, before becoming Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in 2006.