Today I announce the appointment of Mr Christopher Langman as Australia's next Ambassador to Iraq.
Australia is committed to supporting Iraq to overcome the terrorist
organisation Da'esh which represents a threat not just to Iraq, but to
the region and the international community. We have made a significant
contribution to the global coalition to combat Da'esh, including the
deployment of Australian Defence Force personnel to train Iraqi Security
Forces, as well as participation in coalition air strikes. Australia
has provided $30 million in humanitarian assistance in response to the
crisis since June 2014.
Australia and Iraq enjoy a strong bilateral relationship. More than 48,000 Australian residents were born in Iraq. Two-way merchandise trade
was worth nearly $300 million in 2014, with Australia continuing to
provide high quality wheat to the Iraqi market. There are long-term
trade and investment opportunities in the agriculture, education and
resources sectors.
Mr Langman is a senior career officer of the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade. He was Australia's Ambassador and Permanent
Representative to the OECD in Paris from 2008 to 2011. He has previously
served as Deputy Head of Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, with
earlier postings in Washington and Buenos Aires.
In Canberra, Mr Langman served most recently as First Assistant
Secretary, G20 Policy, in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
In DFAT, he served as the head of the Trade and Economic Division
(2011-12) and the Office of Trade Negotiations (2005-07). He was Special
Negotiator for Agriculture from 2004 to 2005 and Australia's Ambassador
for the Environment from 2002 to 2004.
Mr Langman is expected to take up his appointment in August 2015. I
thank outgoing Ambassador Ms Lyndall Sachs for her significant
contribution to advancing Australia's interests in Iraq since 2011.
Media release: Ambassador to Iraq