Sonya Koppe 

Sonya Koppe is an experienced diplomat, with a 32-year career in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). She has extensive experience in international security, including arms control and disarmament, countering people-smuggling, and civil-military cooperation. Overseas, she has completed four DFAT postings, two as Deputy Head of Mission, and a secondment to the Conference on Disarmament Secretariat in Geneva.

In Canberra, Sonya has undertaken a variety of roles, encompassing bilateral, multilateral, humanitarian, consular and corporate work. She has worked closely with the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force and is skilled at navigating the whole-of-government environment.

Sonya’s career highlights include:

• playing a pivotal role in the consular response to the Covid pandemic during her posting in South Africa

• driving an enhanced partnership with the European Union

• participating in negotiations on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.