Diedrah Kelly named as first Executive Director of Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office

Diedrah Kelly has been named as Executive Director of Canada’s new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO) based in Manila, Philippines.

Kelly brings with her 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, which was launched late in 2022, is a joint initiative between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), as 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 supplied in the region.

Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of AAFC says that expanding Canada’s partnerships and trade relationships is a top priority, and the establishment of the IPAAO is a key component of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

“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,” says MacAulay. “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.”