Ambassador the Honourable Mitch Fifield is a Senior Fellow at New York University’s Center on International Cooperation (CIC).
He brings extensive experience to CIC, having served as a Senator, Cabinet Minister, and Australia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York. Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished Ambassadors to the UN, his expertise in international governance, cyber regulation, and reform processes will significantly enrich CIC’s work.
At the UN, he held prominent leadership roles, including Vice President of the General Assembly, and co-chaired initiatives that led to major reforms of the General Assembly, updated global HIV/AIDS targets, and advanced international disaster risk reduction goals.
As Australia’s Minister for Telecommunications, Media, Cyber Safety, and Digital Government, he spearheaded pioneering online safety regulations, oversaw the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN), developed a secure framework for the 5G revolution, and reformed media laws to ensure platform neutrality.
In his role as Minister for Disabilities and Aged Care, he made substantial contributions to social policy, laying the foundation for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and introducing transformative reforms in aged care services. With over 16 years in public office—including a decade on the front bench—he served as Deputy Leader of the Government and Manager of Government Business in the Australian Senate. His influence extended to the Prime Minister’s Leadership Group, where he was a key decision-maker.
He is currently President of the International Law and Liberty Society of Australia, a member of the Specialist Advisory Panel of Crime Stoppers International, and sits on the Advisory Board of Fraim AI.
He holds a degree in government and public administration from Sydney University and served as a reservist in the Australian Army Psychology Corps.
His distinguished career and visionary leadership will enhance CIC’s mission to advance innovative solutions to global challenges.