Dr Ruth Adler, GAICD

Dr Ruth Adler is a former senior career officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).  Ruth served as Australian Ambassador to Ireland (2013-2016) and Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam (2006-2009), with earlier postings as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy, Mexico City (1998-2000) and Second Secretary at the Australian Embassy, Manila (1991-1994).  In Canberra, Ruth held various Senior Executive roles, with responsibility for a range of bilateral, regional, multilateral and corporate issues.  As Assistant Secretary of DFAT’s Environment Branch (2009-2011), Ruth advised ministers on climate and environment issues, sustainable development and the future of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). She was also Australia’s lead negotiator for the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.  Ruth is currently an independent consultant and Non-Executive Director.

Ruth holds a PhD in Latin American history and politics, and is fluent in Spanish.  She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Ruth is currently undertaking a PhD in international climate law with the Faculty of Law at the University of Tasmania. Her research interests include international climate and environment law, climate finance, international relations and foreign and trade policy.

Ruth lives in Canberra, Australia. She enjoys music, cinema and travel. She occasionally dabbles in writing and has recently co-edited a collection of essays, poems and letters on the theme of Australian women in Mexico.