Guest Speaker:
H.E. Michael Potts, Australia High Commissioner
Event Date: Tuesday 11th November 2014
Event Time: 5:30 pm-7:00 pm
Event Location:
Bell Gully
Level 21, HP Tower, 171 Featherston Street, Wellington, 6011.
Please note no building access after 6pm.
EVENT REGISTRATION IS ESSENTIAL AND BY INVITATION ONLY
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Australia became ASEAN’s first Dialogue Partner in 1974. Since then the Dialogue Relations have evolved. The Leaders of ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand met in 2004 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their Dialogue Relations. During the Commemorative Summit, the Leaders adopted the Joint Declaration of the Leaders to further broaden and deepen their dialogue relations in all fields, including political, economic and socio-cultural cooperation. Also the Leaders of ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand met in 2004 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their Dialogue Relations. During the Commemorative Summit, the Leaders adopted the Joint Declaration of the Leaders to further broaden and deepen their dialogue relations in all fields, including political, economic and socio-cultural cooperation. After 40 years of dialogues, what has been achieved and what would be the vision in many years ahead. Please join us and learn more about the dialogue.
Michael Potts
Mr Potts was most recently Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative, Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN), Vienna, a position he held since August 2009. He was previously First Assistant Secretary in the International Organisations and Legal Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and part time Ambassador for People Smuggling Issues, a position he held from January 2007 until June 2009.
He served as High Commissioner in Port Moresby (2003-06) and prior to that held the position of First Assistant Secretary, International Division of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2001 to 2002.
From 1999-2001, Mr Potts was First Assistant Secretary, International Organisations and Legal Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He has also held the positions of Assistant Secretary, Trade Policy Issues and Industrials Branch (1998-99); Assistant Secretary, Mainland South-East Asia Branch (1997-98) and Assistant Secretary, ASEAN Bilateral Branch (1994-97).
Mr Potts has also served as Ambassador in Hanoi (1991-94); Counsellor, Australian Mission to the United Nations in New York (1985-88) and Acting High Commissioner in Lusaka (1980-83). He also had postings in Madrid (1973-76), Vientiane (1977-79) and Dar es Salaam (1980). Mr Potts holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with First Class Honours in History from the University of Sydney. He speaks Spanish and has an understanding of French, Lao and Vietnamese. He is married.
