Founder of the Brazilian Center of International Relations (CEBRI). Celso Lafer served as Minister of Foreign Affairs on two occasions (1992/2001-2003), as well as Minister of Development, Industry and Trade (1999).

Between 1995 and 1998, he was Ambassador of Brazil to the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, where he was President of the Dispute Settlement Body. He was also a member of the UN Executive Council in matters related to disarmament, industry and trade. He is Professor Emeritus of the University of São Paulo’s (USP) Institute of International Relations and Law School, where he was Professor of International Law and Philosophy of Law.

He was President of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and is currently on the Executive Board of Klabin. Minister Lafer received his bachelor's degree from USP Law School and his master's degree and PhD in Political Science from Cornell University, USA.