Minister MacAulay announces inaugural Executive Director of new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office

From: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

News release

December 4, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

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.

Quotes

“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. 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.”

- The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“We launched the Indo-Pacific Strategy to position Canada for long-term growth and prosperity that benefits everyone. The appointment of Ms. Kelly as the Executive Director of the new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office demonstrates Canada’s continued commitment to enhancing and diversifying our trade and economic partnerships with Indo-Pacific economies and growing opportunities for our world-class businesses.”

- The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development

Quick facts

  • The IPAAO represents a $31.8 million investment from the Government of Canada, and supports the trade pillar of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

  • Global agri-food and seafood imports into ASEAN markets have increased by 177% from 2012 to 2022 (from CA$72 billion to CA$200 billion).

  • Canada has trade agreements in place with several key markets in the Indo-Pacific region, including South Korea under the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA), and with Australia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

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Contacts

For media:

Francis Chechile
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
francis.chechile@agr.gc.ca

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
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