Today I announce the appointment of Dr Lucas de Toca PSM as Australia’s Ambassador for Global Health and Ms Greer Alblas as Australia’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Australia to UNESCO.
As Ambassador for Global Health, Dr de Toca will advance Australia’s interests in the global health system, ensuring it delivers for the Pacific and Southeast Asia, so we can be better prepared for future health emergencies.
The Ambassador for Global Health will work closely with governments and communities in our region to support their health priorities, including through the Australian Government’s flagship Partnerships for a Healthy Region initiative.
Dr de Toca is a medical doctor, adjunct professor in medicine, and public health expert with extensive experience in pandemic response, First Nations health and rural health service delivery.
He leads the Global Health Division and the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, managing Australia’s relationship with multilateral health organisations and our international development assistance in health.
The role of UNESCO Ambassador will now be full-time, reflecting a step up in Australia’s commitment to UNESCO. It will increase our ability to bring Australian expertise and experience to UNESCO’s work.
Ms Alblas is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Director, Curriculum and Outreach, Diplomatic Academy. She has previously served overseas at the Australian Permanent Mission to the UN, Geneva.
The mission of UNESCO is to build peace through international cooperation – a goal Australia strongly supports. The expertise UNESCO brings in education, science, and culture is vital to advancing the 2030 Agenda for International Development.
I thank outgoing Ambassadors Megan Anderson and Dr Stephanie Williams PSM, for their contributions to advancing Australia’s interests overseas.
