Today I announce the appointment of Ms Amanda Gorely as Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation.
Nuclear, chemical, biological and certain conventional weapons, as well as the possession of certain ballistic missiles, pose a grave risk to peace and stability. In recent years, we have seen some nations use chemical weapons as tools of assassination, or to attack civilians during conflict.
The Morrison Government is committed to enhancing Australia’s leadership and international advocacy on global arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament, as well as sanctions and other measures.
Ambassador Gorely will promote Australia’s objectives on this critical security agenda, and increase Australia’s influence, particularly as we pursue a successful outcome to the 2020 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Her appointment builds on Australia’s leadership role to advance non-proliferation, disarmament and sanctions goals. In 2020, we will assume the Presidency of the Conference on Disarmament and a seat on the Executive Council of the Organisation on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
The Morrison Government’s commitment to sustained, practical leadership in addressing international security challenges was underlined during my co-chairing of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative ministerial meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Nagoya on 23 November 2019. NPDI ministers reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening implementation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and to achieve the Treaty’s ultimate objective of a world without nuclear weapons.
Ambassador Gorely is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is currently First Assistant Secretary, International Security Division. She has previously served overseas as Ambassador to the Philippines. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Melbourne.
