Shishir Priyadarshi

Shishir Priyadarshi is a former Director of the World Trade Organization (WTO). With over 22 years of working closely with global institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, UNCTAD, and OECD, his area of interests focuses on international economic policies, infrastructure development, and trade regulations. He has a vast and varied experience advising governments across Africa and Asia on economic policy, infrastructure planning, and securing financial assistance.  Before his international role, Mr. Priyadarshi served for over 20 years in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), holding senior positions at both state and central levels. His experience includes work in various ministries related to economic, finance, and industry sectors, as well as supporting inter-ministerial coordination at the Cabinet Secretariat.   An alumnus of the University of Reading, UK (MA Economics) and Delhi University (MSc Nuclear Physics), Mr. Priyadarshi holds gold medals in both degrees. He has published extensively on international trade, development and economic policies and has held academic affiliations with institutions such as the London School of Economics, Indian School of Business, National University of Singapore IIT Delhi, University of Barcelona, the World Trade Institute Bern among others.  His career reflects diversity – having worked in the Indian bureaucracy, as an international civil servant, in the private sector, and in the field of academics too – and a deep commitment to fostering sustainable development in least developed countries and developing economies.