New Ambassador for Climate Change
5 March 2009 at 1:39 pm
The Federal Government has appointed a new Ambassador for Climate Change.
The Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, jointly announced that Louise Hand has been appointed to be Australia’s Ambassador for Climate Change.
The Ambassador for Climate Change is the lead Australian negotiator within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the head of the International Division of the Department of Climate Change.
Louise Hand commenced her appointment at the end of February. Outgoing Ambassador for Climate Change, Jan Adams, will return to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to handle trade negotiations.
Most recently Deputy Chief of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Hand has previously served in senior positions in DFAT in Canberra and overseas, including as Australian Ambassador to Cambodia.
Louise Hand’s contribution was recognised in the most recent Australia Day Honours list with a Public Service Medal for her outstanding public service.
Senator Wong and Minister Smith also paid tribute to Jan Adams’s significant contribution as Ambassador for Climate Change.
Minister Smith welcomed Adams’s return to DFA saying she is highly regarded amongst her international counterparts for her professionalism, integrity, knowledge and great skill.
