Julia Rusch

Background

About Julia Rusch

As an International Relations Officer at the European Commission's Directorate-General for the Environment, specializing in wildlife trade, I am dedicated to advancing global conservation efforts and addressing critical issues such as wildlife trafficking and whaling. In my role, I support the implementation and revision of EU Wildlife Trade Regulations and help coordinate efforts related to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the International Whaling Commission (IWC). In addition to these core portfolios, I am also responsible for the stewardship of the EU Seals Regime and oversight of the EU’s humane trapping standards under our legislation and international agreements. Previously, as a Policy Officer for trade relations with the US and Canada at the European Commission, I assisted with coordinating the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and implementing the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). My career at the European Commission also includes positions as a Climate Diplomacy Policy Officer at DG Climate Action and roles at DG Environment in the Office of the Director-General and the Briefing Cell. My work has taken me around the globe, with professional and academic experiences in Morocco, Cameroon, the UK, US, China, and Japan. My academic background includes graduate studies at the London School of Economics and Peking University, focusing on economic diplomacy, foreign policy analysis, global governance, and sustainable development, particularly in Northeast and Southeast Asia. I am passionate about learning ever more about the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and finding solutions to address it through policymaking, diplomacy and trade at bilateral and multilateral level. I invite you to connect with me at juliarusch@outlook.com to discuss the European Green Deal, EU trade relations with North America and Northeast Asia, and international efforts in wildlife conservation and sustainable development.