Today I announce the appointment of Ms Elizabeth Ward as Australia's next Ambassador for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
APEC plays a key role in promoting Australia's interests in open markets, regulatory cooperation and rules-based trade in our region.
APEC member economies account for more than 60 per cent of global GDP and around 75 per cent of Australia's total trade in goods and services.
Australia works closely with APEC members on a wide range of issues to support regional economic cooperation, and inclusive and sustainable growth.
Australia's current focus includes advancing services and digital trade, structural economic reform, trade in environmental goods, gender equality and the economic empowerment of women and Indigenous Peoples.
Ms Ward is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and was most recently Australian Consul-General in Hong Kong. She has previously served overseas in the United States, India and Egypt.
Ms Ward has a strong background in trade policy having served as First Assistant Secretary in each of the specialist trade divisions in DFAT and leading the 12-party Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiation for Australia.
I thank outgoing Ambassador Ms Helen Stylianou for her efforts in advancing Australia's participation in APEC since 2021.
