Ghani, Dr. Ashraf

Ashraf Ghani, Chairman of the Institute for State Effectiveness, was named one of the most influential global thinkers of 2009 and 2010 for his work on fragile states. As Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General he helped prepare the Bonn Agreement for Afghanistan. He served as Finance Minister of Afghanistan from 2002-2004 and is credited with a series of successful reforms in the country, such as reform of the treasury, customs, budget and the currency. Ghani prepared Afghanistan's first National Development Framework and Securing Afghanistan's Future, a $28bn reconstruction program for the country. In 2010 he developed and facilitated the successful Kabul Conference and Process to build internal consensus and external alignment on priorities in Afghanistan. Ghani was named best finance minister in Asia by Emerging Markets in 2003 and has previously been nominated for the posts of UN Secretary General and the President of the World Bank.