In 2005- 2009 Manuel Pinho was the Minister of Economy and Innovation of the Portuguese Government and a Member of Parliament. In 2007 was Acting President of the European Council of Energy and Competitiveness Ministers and of the Transatlantic Council. Is the author of the background paper Europe´s New Energy Era, on which the European Strategic Plan for Energy is inspired.
Previously, Manuel Pinho was an economist at the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C.
Holds a BA in Economics from the Technical University of Lisbon and a doctoral degree from the University of Paris- X.
Now Is Visiting Professor at the School of International Public Administration of Columbia University