The Canadian government has established a new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO) in Manila, Philippines.
Diedrah Kelley has been appointed to be the executive director of the IPAAO.
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 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, AAFC stated.
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.
“The Indo-Pacific region holds so much potential for Canada’s agricultural sector, and the establishment of the new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila is a sign of our commitment to the region,” said Lawrence MacAulay, Canadian minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “I would like to congratulate Ms. Kelly on her appointment as executive director of the IPAAO, and I look forward to working with her to create more opportunities for Canada's high-quality products.”
