Ambassador Rubens Barbosa has many years of international economic, trade and commercial experience.

Most recently, he was Ambassador to the Court of Saint James, in London, from January 1994 to June 1999 and Brazilian Ambassador to the United States of America, in Washington DC, from June 1999 to March 2004. Ambassador Barbosa has held a variety of senior positions in the Brazilian Government's Ministry of Foreign Relations, including as Secretary for International Affairs at the Ministry of Finance; Brazilian Permanent Representative to the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI); Under Secretary-General for Regional Integration, Trade and Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Relations; and as Coordinator of the Brazilian Section of Mercosur, the Southern Cone Common Market.

A highly experienced diplomat, especially in economic, trade and commercial affairs, he actively participated in decision-making processes in these areas, headed hundreds of negotiation missions and was the Chairman of the Association of Coffee-Producing Countries for five years.

Ambassador Barbosa regulary writes articles and essays for the press and specialized magazines and is also the author of four books: "Integração Econômica da América Latina: da retórica à realidade" (Economic Integration of Latin America: from rhetoric to the reality), "Panorama Visto de Londres" (A Broad View from London), which deals with foreign and economic policies, "The Mercosur Codes", published by the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, and his most recent book “Mercosul Quinze Anos” (Mercosur Fifteen Years), which evaluates the organization fifteen years after its creation, . He was also editor and organizer of "O Brasil dos Brasilianistas" (The Brazil of the Brazilianists) Mercosur and the Regional Integration, and The Dissent in Washington (2012). Ambassador Barbosa has a Master's degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science (1971).

The Ambassador currently works as a business consultant and occupies, among others, the positions of President of the Upper Council of Foreign Trade from FIESP (Federation of Industries of the State of Sao Paulo) and member of the business council of The Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). He is also member of many other councils, such as the Sao Paulo State Symphony Orchestra (OSESP) and the CSU CardSystem S.A Company.

Member of the Group of Analysis of the International Conjuncture of the University of São Paulo, President Emeritus of CEBEU – Brazil – US Business Council and Publisher of the Journal Interesse Nacional.