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Inaugural director of new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office named

Diedrah Kelly has been named executive director of Canada’s new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO) in Manila, Philippines. The announcement was made in early December by federal ag minister Lawrence MacAulay.

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 co-operation, assist Canadian exporters in finding new business opportunities, and help position Canada as a preferred supplier in the region. The Government of Canada has stated expanding partnerships and trade relationships is one of their top priorities, calling the establishment of the IPAAO 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 role in the region as a committed partner in global food security and supply chain resilience.