Brief Biography
Dr. Enrico Perotti is the newly appointed Secretary of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). He brings over 30 years of experience in scientific research and biosecurity, spanning government, academia, and the private sector. A passionate advocate for food security and sustainable agricultural productivity, Enrico has held senior roles including leadership of the biosecurity risk assessment team at New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries and key positions within the Australian Public Service focused on biosecurity policy and emergency response. He also advanced Australia’s trade and market access as Australia’s first Agriculture Counsellor to Malaysia and Brunei. Since January 2023, Enrico has served as General Manager of the Invasive Species Program at Biosecurity Queensland, leading efforts to prevent, manage, and mitigate the impacts of invasive plants and animals across the state. Coming from a multicultural background, he champions collaborative approaches that harness diverse strengths and perspectives to tackle biosecurity challenges. Enrico supports scientific innovation and the development of novel tools to enhance biosecurity and agricultural outcomes. His broad expertise includes managing operational and research programs, driving industry-wide initiatives, and building strategic partnerships across primary industries. He has worked with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) in Mexico and Australia, and previously lectured in plant biology, biochemistry, genetics and epigenetics at the Universities of Lausanne and Zurich in Switzerland. Dr. Perotti's enduring passion and professional focus remain centered on improving food security and combating hunger worldwide through science-based biosecurity and international collaboration.