Australia will be represented by a new Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation, the new posting has been announced by Foreign Minister Bob Carr and former Minister for Trade and Competitiveness Craig Emerson.

Mr Hamish McCormick is the country’s next Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Mr McCormick is expected to take up his new role in August this year, replacing Mr Tim Yeend.

Hamish McCormick has been a senior officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs, working as Acting Deputy Secretary and First Assistant Secretary of the Office of Trade Negotiations. He has also served as Counsellor at the Australian Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organization in Geneva and as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Copenhagen.

Mr McCormick will take up his position at a challenging time for the global trading system. Recent increases in WTO membership have added to the complexity of the negotiating environment, as have changes to the nature and balance of the global economy.

The arrival of a new WTO Director-General, Roberto Azevêdo, who will take up his position in September, heralds a new period for the organisation. The country’s primary goal in the WTO remains completion of the Doha Development Round and the chance at a new economic age with Australia as a primary member.