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Vale James Ingram AO FAIIA

Published 21 Feb 2023

It is with sadness that the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) has learned of the death of James Ingram AO FAIIA, the only Australian ever to have led the World Food Organisation, from 1982 to 1992. Before taking up that position, Ingram was the chief executive officer of the Australian Development Assistance Bureau. His focus on development was evident in his role as the Australian representative on the Executive Boards of UNICEF, UNDP and UNCTAD. Starting his career with the Department of External Affairs in 1946, Ingram held several diplomatic postings, and opened a number of Australia’s overseas missions. As charge d’affaires in 1959, he was responsible for opening Australia’s Mission to the then European Economic Community and Embassy to Belgium in 1959. Ingram held several subsequent posts as head of mission: Australian Ambassador to the Philippines from 1970; in 1973, Australian High Commissioner to Canada and concurrently non-resident High Commissioner to the new posts of Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana and the Bahamas; and Australian representative on the newly established, now defunct, International Bauxite Association.

On retirement, Ingram was active in civil society organisations, notably the Crawford Fund and the AIIA. The AIIA was proud to appoint Ingram as a fellow in 2010. We wish his family well during this difficult time.