Mr David Spencer

Ambassador for APEC to Australia

Biography

Mr Spencer is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Prior to his current appointment he was Special Representative, Hong Kong WTO Ministerial Meeting. He took up this position on returning from Geneva in September 2005 where he had served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO since 2001.

Mr Spencer has held a variety of senior positions in Canberra including Deputy Secretary (1998-2001), First Assistant Secretary, Americas and Europe Division (1996-98), and Special Adviser, Economic and Trade Division (1989-91).

Overseas, he has served as Deputy Chief of Mission, Australian Embassy, Washington (1993-96), High Commissioner to Canada (1991-93), Senior Trade Commissioner, Hong Kong (1986-89), Counsellor, Australian Embassy, Tokyo (1980-84) and Counsellor, Australian Delegation to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva (1973-78).

Educated at the Australian National University, Mr Spencer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Economics. He is married with three children.