Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization

Today we announce that Mr George Mina has commenced his appointment as Australia's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva.

The WTO is a global forum at which its 164 members negotiate trade rules and agreements, as well as resolve trade disputes when they arise.

Australia continues to play a leading role in the WTO, including as Chair of the negotiations to develop the first set of global digital trade rules, pressing for reform on agricultural subsidy entitlements, and driving active negotiations on fisheries subsidies and rules to reduce barriers to services supply.

Mr Mina is a senior career officer with DFAT, including serving as First Assistant Secretary, Office of Trade Negotiations, Head of Australia's campaign for the United Nations Human Rights Council and most recently as First Assistant Secretary, Consular and Crisis Management Division.

He has also previously served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission in Paris, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Australia to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and at the Australian Permanent Mission to the WTO.

We thank Ambassador Frances Lisson PSM, who recently finished her three year term, for her outstanding contribution to advancing Australia's interests at the WTO, especially her leadership in commencing e-commerce negotiations.

Mr Mina will tonight join Minister Birmingham at a virtual meeting of WTO ministers, to drive negotiations of global rules on fisheries subsidies and discuss the role of the WTO in contributing to the global economic recovery from COVID-19.