Gilles Rivard

Gilles Rivard is currently a governor of Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). He has more than 35 years of experience in international relations, including almost 14 years abroad in Guinea, Costa Rica, Peru, Haiti, and at UN in New York City.

From 2008 to 2010, Rivard was Canada’s ambassador to Haiti. He was also ambassador and deputy permanent representative of Canada to the UN in New York City from 2010 to 2013. In 2013, Rivard was appointed assistant-deputy minister responsible for the amalgamation of former Canadian International Development Agency with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to create the new Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. From January to March 2016 he served as a special advisor for Global Affairs Canada on peace operations in the context of the reengagement of Canada vis-à-vis United Nations. 

Rivard has sat on the Board of Governors on IDRC since 2018. He is member of the Board of Oxfam Québec and member of the Board of AmbCanada, an association composed of former ambassadors and consuls general. He serves as a fellow for the “Institut des Études internationales de Montréal” and serves regularly as guest speaker on issues such as crisis management and peace operations.

In 2012, Rivard received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition for his significant contributions and achievements during his career in the Public Service of Canada. In 2014, he was awarded Operational Service Medal “Humanitas” for the outstanding work made by the Canadian Mission following the crisis generated by the natural disaster.

Rivard is a member of the Think Tank Haiti (TTH) Advisory Group.