Today I announce the appointment of Mr Patrick Suckling as Australia's next Ambassador for the Environment.
Mr Suckling will promote Australia's interests on international environmental issues, including climate change policy, world heritage, whaling, illegal wildlife trafficking, blue economy and oceans.
He will also lead Australia's engagement in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations. A key priority for Mr Suckling will be building upon Australia's influential role in securing the Paris Agreement and ensuring Australia plays an active role in the development of a strong and effective international framework.
Mr Suckling is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), most recently serving as Australia's High Commissioner in New Delhi. He was previously posted overseas as Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Washington.
In Australia, Mr Suckling has served as First Assistant Secretary, Consular Public Diplomacy and Parliamentary Affairs Division, DFAT; First Assistant Secretary, International Division, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; Assistant Secretary APEC Branch, DFAT; and Director, Trade Finance Section, DFAT.
I thank outgoing Ambassador Peter Woolcott for his valuable contribution to Australia's engagement on international environment and climate change issues since 2014.