AACC Pacific Northwest hosts former PM and Australian Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd

Australian Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd addresses attendees at the ‘Australia at APEC’ reception on Wednesday 16 August, 2023.

The Australian American Chamber of Commerce Pacific Northwest co-hosted an ‘Australia at APEC’ reception with Austrade at The Rainier Club in Seattle on Wednesday 16 August.

We welcomed former Australian Prime Minister and current Australian Ambassador to the United States of America, The Hon Dr Kevin Rudd AC, as a guest of honor for the evening.

AACC Pacific Northwest President Martin Gorman introducing Ambassador Rudd.

Guests from varying industry sectors in the Pacific Northwest were able to mingle and meet both AACC Pacific Northwest board members and Austrade officials, including San Francisco Consul General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Odette Hampton.

San Francisco Consul General and Senior Trade Commissioner Odette Hampton.

Ambassador Rudd addressed the gathering and shared some insights into his new role, reflected on his recent past experience heading the Asia Society, and outlined his focus on US-China-Australia relations.

Ambassador Rudd assumed his current role in early 2023. Previously, he served as Australia’s 26th Prime Minister during 2007-2010, and then again in 2013.

Ambassador Rudd speaking about his new role, based out of Washington D.C.

Australian government officials have recently been in Seattle to attend the Third APEC Senior Officials’ and Ministerial Meetings, which began in late July and run into the third week of August.

‘Australia at APEC’ reception guests.

Many thanks to the wonderful team at Austrade for working with us to organize the evening, and to our guests.