Devon W.

Background

About Devon W.

As the Director of Global Shield Australia, I lead Global Shield’s engagement with the Australian Government, seeking meaningful action to reduce and, where possible, eliminate global catastrophic risk (GCR). Global Shield is an international advocacy organization dedicated to reducing all-hazards GCR, including risk arising from extreme pandemics, emerging technologies, and global conflict. We champion effective and pragmatic policy solutions to help policymakers to better understand and manage significant threats to human well-being on a global scale. Prior to joining Global Shield, I had a lengthy career in the Australian public service, including with the Attorney-General's Department and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. More recently, I also worked in private legal practice on public international law matters. My work included treaty negotiations, trade policy development, international dispute resolution, and advisory work on trade law, climate change, security issues, law of the sea (including deep seabed mining). It also included a diplomatic posting to Papua New Guinea, with a particular focus on Papua New Guinea’s national elections. I have a deep understanding of and experience working with the Australian government, as well as States in the Indo-Pacific region and ASEAN. Previous international negotiations that I have worked on include: the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, accessions to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. I have negotiated with the EU, ASEAN, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, the US, and the UK. I was also legal counsel on the Singapore-Australia Digital Economy Agreement, Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement, and for Australia's delegation in the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce negotiations.