Crispin Conroy

Crispin Conroy (born 8 May 1963) is the Permanent Observer of the International Chamber of Commerce to the United Nations Office at Geneva.[1]

Crispin Conroy
Born	8 May 1963 Cambridge, England
Alma mater	Australian National University
Occupation	International Chamber of Commerce Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva

He previously served as a career diplomat with the Australian Government for over 25 years. He first worked for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and then for the Australian Trade and Investment Commission.

Conroy was appointed to his current role as Permanent Observer to the United Nations Office at Geneva in January 2019.[2]

Early life

Conroy was born in Cambridge, United Kingdom in 1963.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in French language and civilization (Hons) from the Australian National University. He has a Bachelor of Law (Hons) from the same university, which he received in 1988.[3]

Early diplomatic career

From 1990 to 1993, Conroy was Third and Second Secretary at the Australian embassy in Madrid, Spain. He returned to Canberra from 1994 to 1995, continuing work with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He was named First Secretary at the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva between 1995 and 1998 and was Deputy Legal Adviser and Director of the International Law Section afterwards until 1999.[4]

Australian Ambassador to Nepal (1999-2002) and Chile (2005-2009)

Conroy was the Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Nepal from December 1999 to December 2002.[5][6] From October 2003 until October 2005 he was the Deputy Head of Mission in Port Moresby.

He served as Australian Ambassador to Chile between December 2005 and May 2009.[7] Conroy's posting included concurrent accreditation to Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia. Conroy was Ambassador to Chile between 2005 and 2009, stationed in Santiago de Chile.[8][9] As ambassador, he helped secure funding for children's sport and leisure facilities in the poor region of Renca, in cooperation with World Vision. Conroy acknowledged that usually funding of projects by Australia is not the norm.[10]

From Latin America to Italy (2009-2018)

Following his term as Australian Ambassador to Chile, Conroy was appointed Senior Trade Commissioner for Latin America, based in Chile but covering the whole region.[2]

He served in this capacity from June 2009 to June 2012. Conroy worked alongside Minister of Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith to develop a commercial engagement strategy for Australia in Latin America.[11]

He was then appointed as Australia’s Consul-General to Colombia, and asked by Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop to open Australia’s first diplomatic and trade presence in the country. At the same time, Conroy covered Chile, Colombia, and Argentina as Senior Trade Commissioner. Conroy served as Consul General to Colombia from July 2012 until July 2016.[2][1]

In November 2016, Conroy was appointed as the Australian Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to Italy, and Australian Consul-General in Milan. As part of this posting, Crispin worked to promote the Australian government’s start up initiative in Italy.[7]

Permanent Observer of the International Chamber of Commerce to the United Nations (2019-present)

After over 25 years working for the Australian government, Conroy was appointed as the first Permanent Observer of the International Chamber of Commerce to the United Nations in Geneva.[2]

The International Chamber of Commerce received observer status to the United Nations on 21 December 2016 and assumed its position at the United Nations General Assembly on 1 January 2017.[12][13]

Personal life

Conroy is married and has three daughters.[4]

References

1. "ICC Permanent Observer presents nomination letter at UN". ICC - International Chamber of Commerce. 2 March 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
2. "Where global solutions are shaped for you | News & Media | NEW PERMANENT OBSERVER OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE". www.unog.ch. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
3. Anu - Mac - Alumni - Profiles
4. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Crispin Conroy: Ambassador to Chile, Australian Government, archived from the original on 4 June 2009
5. Downer, Alexander (19 August 1999). "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador To Nepal" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
6. Downer, Alexander (22 July 2002). "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to Nepal" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
7. Commission, Australian Trade. "Crispin Conroy". www.austrade.gov.au. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
8. Downer, Alexander (20 September 2005). "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to Chile" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
9. Smith, Stephen (24 February 2009). "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to Chile" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015.
10. World Vision Australia - World Vision News : January 2007
11. Trade, corporateName= Department of Foreign Affairs and. "Minister for Foreign Affairs - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade". foreignminister.gov.au. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
12. "UN General Assembly Grants Observer Status to International Chamber of Commerce". USCIB. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
13. "Observer status for the International Chamber of Commerce in the General Assembly - Seventy-first session - Sixth Committee (Legal) - UN General Assembly". www.un.org. Retrieved 29 March 2019.