Today I announce the appointment of Mr Chris Cannan as Australia's Ambassador for Global Health.
As Ambassador for Global Health, Mr Cannan will lead Australia's international engagement to strengthen health security and promote equity and resilience, with a particular focus on the needs of our region.
Working with our neighbours and global partners on health helps protect Australia and our region from disease outbreaks, which is essential to stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
Mr Cannan is a senior career officer in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He leads the department's Global Health Division, which oversees much of Australia's international development assistance in health and manages Australia's relationships with multilateral health organisations.
Mr Cannan has previously served as Australia's Ambassador to Israel and has held a range of other senior roles in the department, including responsibility for Australia's investments in global health funds. Earlier in his career, he worked with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
I thank former Ambassador Dr Lucas de Toca PSM for his contributions to advancing Australia's global health interests since 2023.