7th Global Energy Forum 2025 Distinguished Confirmed Speakers Include
< BACK TO LISTValérie Baraban
Valérie Baraban is an experienced diplomat and international affairs expert with a distinguished career spanning over two decades at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. Since September 2021, she has served as the Consul General of France in Houston, leading diplomatic, economic, and cultural engagement across the region.
Throughout her career, Ms. Baraban has held high-profile positions at the intersection of defense, security, and international cooperation. She played a pivotal role in arms control and export regulations, collaborating with the European Union, OSCE, and NATO. At NATO headquarters in Brussels, she served as Senior Negotiator to France’s Permanent Representative, overseeing military operations and intelligence governance.
Her international expertise extends to cultural diplomacy—as Deputy Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy in China (2009–2013), she led one of France’s largest diplomatic networks, shaping cultural and educational partnerships. Before her appointment in Houston, she served as Diplomatic Advisor to the National Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Coordinator within the Office of the President of France, providing strategic counsel on global security issues.
A graduate of the École normale supérieure and Lycée Henri IV, Ms. Baraban is a credentialed professor of philosophy. She has taught for a decade, including at UC Berkeley, and has authored multiple publications, including books and articles in Forbes, Politique Internationale, and Commentaire. She has received numerous honors and distinctions, including the National Order of Merit.
