Aminata Touré, born in Dakar, Senegal in 1962, is a prominent politician and human rights activist who served as Senegal’s Prime Minister from 2013 to 2014, becoming the second woman to hold this position in the country. She holds a PhD in International Business Administration and Finance from the International School of Management ISM in New York and Paris, and a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Dijon Business School in France.
Dr. Touré began her career in the private sector and later worked with the Senegalese branch of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. Her extensive international experience includes over 24 years with the United Nations, where she held various technical expert positions such as UNFPA Senior Advisor in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and at the UN headquarters in New York. She also served as Director of Gender and Human Rights at the United Nations Population Fund in New York from 2009 to 2012.
In Senegal, Dr. Touré held key governmental roles including Minister of Justice (2012-2013), where she focused on anti-corruption initiatives, and later as President’s Special Envoy for Internal and External Affairs (2015-2019) and President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (2019-2020).
Dr. Touré has been also actively involved in election observation missions across Africa, leading and co-leading missions on behalf of the African Union and The Carter Center. She has authored more than 30 United Nations publications and in 2021 published a book on Africa’s contribution to International Penal Law through the trial of Hissein Habré.
Dr. Aminata Touré’s expertise spans gender issues, good governance, and economic development. Fluent in Wolof, French, and English, she continues to contribute significantly to international diplomacy and human rights advocacy.
Dr. Aminata Touré is currently High Representative of the Senegalese President and member of the sixteen United Nations Advisors Committee.