STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P 3 VEATING, MP
AUSTRALIAN NOMINATION FOR DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE UNITED
NATIONS FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORCANISATION
I am pleased to announce that the Government endorses
Dr Geoff Miller_ as Australia's official candidate for the
posfiion of D6i-rector -General of the United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organisation ( FAO).
Australia was instrumental in the establishment of FAO in
1945, and has been active in its work ever since. The world
faces daunting food and agricultural problems including
escalating hunger and malnutrition, serious depletion of
natural resources and disrupted world markets. Given
Australia's role as a major exporter of farm products, we
are very conscious of these issues.
Geoff Miller has had a distinguished career in agricultural
economics, spending 14 years as head or associate head of
leading Australian Government agencies, including the ( then)
Bureau of Agricultural Economics; the national Economic
Planning Advisory Council; the Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade; and the Department of Primary industries and
Energy. In each of his assignments he has demonstrated his
impressive analytical skills and administrative ability.
Geoff Miller has played a leading role in rural and economic
policy for almost two decades. He has a very strong global
orientation, having led numerous Australian delegations to
world food, agricultural and trade meetings and
negotiations. These included the FAO, the OECD and the
GATT. Geoff Miller is a product of rural Australia with a sound
practical background in agriculture. He also has strong
academic credentials.
2
Australia attaches great importance to the work of the FAO,
and to the advancement of international co-operation through
the UN system. I believe Geoff Miller would make an
excellent Director-General.
Since the election will not be held until November 1993,
Dr Miller will retain his present position in Canberra as
Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and
Energy. CANBERRA 27 August 1992
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