Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the appointment of Diedrah Kelly as Executive Director of Canada's new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO) in Manila, Philippines.
Ms. Kelly has 20 years of international experience with Global Affairs Canada, including numerous assignments abroad. She was most recently the Consul General of Canada in Mumbai, India, and prior to that served as Canada's Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The IPAAO is a joint initiative between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and part of an ongoing commitment to bolster ties, advance technical cooperation, assist Canadian exporters in finding new business opportunities, and help position Canada as a preferred supplier in the region. Expanding our partnerships and trade relationships is a top priority for the Government of Canada, and the establishment of the IPAAO is a key component of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy.
IPAAO resources from both the CFIA and AAFC will take a regional approach to engaging, advancing and addressing agricultural trade issues and opportunities, operating as a centralized hub. The IPAAO team will promote Canada's important role in the region as a committed partner in global food security and supply chain resilience.
