Renée Yap

Renée Yap is the Lead Adviser – Environment at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Her work encompasses a wide range of international oceans-related issues, including marine plastics; ocean acidification; marine protected areas; the impact of climate change on oceans; and, pelagic migratory species. Renée currently chairs the New Zealand Government’s International Oceans Issues Working Group.

Renée previously represented New Zealand at the United Nations in New York, where she led New Zealand’s engagement on sustainable development within the United Nations system. In this capacity, Renee represented New Zealand in negotiations on oceans and oceans-related issues, including supporting the sustainable development of small island developing states, whose future is intrinsically tied to the health of the oceans.