Andrii Goncharuk (also spelled Honcharuk; Ukrainian: Андрій Іванович Гончарук; born April 9, 1961) is a Ukrainian statesman, diplomat, and ambassador.
Goncharuk was born in Kyiv. He graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (1983). After postgraduate studies in the Institute for World Economy and International Relations (National Academy of Sciences) he was awarded a Ph.D. degree in International Economics (1988). Named senior research fellow (1991) and associate professor (2013).
After Ukraine became independent, Goncharuk joined the newly created Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations, starting as head of division in 1991 and subsequently moved up having stopped at all stages of promotional ladder. In 1999, he was appointed minister[1] at the age of 37, being the youngest minister in Ukraine at that time.
Between 1993 and 2003, Goncharuk actively contributed to the process of Ukraine's accession to the GATT/WTO system conducting negotiations with foreign partners. He initiated and participated in development of a new direction of international relations of Ukraine – trade diplomacy.[2]
Since 2000, he combined his state and diplomatic activities with research work and teaching. He held position of professor at the chair of international trade of Kyiv National Economic University (2005–2015).[3]
After more than 10 years of civil service, in 2003 Andrii Goncharuk takes a decision to apply his knowledge in the private sector through his position of vice-president of the Interpipe Group where his main sphere of activities was trade policy as well as support and protection of Ukrainian companies at foreign markets.[4]At the same time (2005-2007) he continues to advise Ukrainian Government on issues of multilateral trade diplomacy, in particular on Ukraine's accession to the WTO, as an advisor to the prime minister of Ukraine[5]