Former Colombian President César Gaviria –known in Latin America as a conflict mediator, advocate of democracy, staunch supporter of regional integration and defender of human rights– was first elected OAS Secretary General in 1994 and re-elected for a second term in 1999. Through his strategy for a “New Vision... Read more
Former Colombian President César Gaviria –known in Latin America as a conflict mediator, advocate of democracy, staunch supporter of regional integration and defender of human rights– was first elected OAS Secretary General in 1994 and re-elected for a second term in 1999.
Through his strategy for a “New Vision of the OAS,” César Gaviria fostered profound institutional changes that reinvigorated the inter-American agenda and prepared the Organization to meet the challenges the region faces today. During Gaviria’s tenure, the OAS intensified efforts to improve hemispheric security and combat terrorism, drugs and corruption.
César Gaviria began his career at age 23, immediately after obtaining his degree in Economics from Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, when he was elected councilman in his hometown of Pereira. In 1974 he was elected to Colombia’s House of Representatives. He rose to the top position in the House in 1983. In 1986 Gaviria became co-chair of the Colombian Liberal Party, a position he held during the successful presidential campaign of the party’s candidate, Virgilio Barco. Mr. Gaviria served in the Barco administration first as Minister of Finance and later as Minister of the Interior. In early 1989, he left the government to manage the presidential campaign of Senator Luis Carlos Galán. Following the brutal murder of Senator Galán by drug traffickers, the Liberal Party chose César Gaviria as its candidate. He was elected President of Colombia in May 1990. During his four-year term (1990-94) he enacted policies to strengthen democracy, promote peace and reintegrate armed rebels into civilian life. In 1991, through a plebiscite and elected constitutional assembly, Colombia drafted a new, more democratic constitution.
After his last OAS term ended, Gaviria successfully created The Otun Group, an international business advisory firm located in New York City. Returning to Colombia in 2005 after several visits in 2004, Gaviria once again became active in politics and was proclaimed as the sole chief of the Colombian Liberal Party in June 2005. He has declared that his goal was to promote the party’s reunification in order to make it a viable alternative in the 2006 presidential elections.
An engaging and insightful speaker, Mr Gaviria is in great demand by audiences eager to benefit from his experiences as the key player in the transformation of the OAS and the modernization of Colombia.
Publications
• “El Sistema Interamericano para la Protección y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos” (2001)
• “La Integración Regional en un Mundo Globalizado: liderazgos, desafíos y capacidad de gestión” (1999)
• “Las Bases de la Nueva Colombia: El Revolcón Institucional” (1994)
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You can book Cesar Gaviria through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Cesar's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Cesar Gaviria's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Cesar tailored to your event.
Cesar Gaviria speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Cesar to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Cesar Gaviria for events worldwide, subject to Cesar's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Cesar Gaviria is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Cesar can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Cesar Gaviria on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Cesar can offer.
Cesar Gaviria delivers keynotes in Spanish. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Cesar Gaviria's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Cesar's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Cesar Gaviria can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Cesar's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Cesar Gaviria is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Cesar Gaviria, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Cesar's current availability for your dates.