Dr Peter Sawczak

Dr Peter Sawczak was appointed First Assistant Secretary, Geostrategy and Partnerships Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in January 2023.

Prior to this, he served in a number of positions at the Department of Defence, including as First Assistant Secretary Strategic Policy Division and First Assistant Secretary Defence Industry Policy Division.

In 2019, he conducted a major review of defence policy and planning guidance that produced the 2020 Defence Strategic Update.

Dr Sawczak was Head of Political Affairs at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague 2013-16, where he led the OPCW’s diplomatic engagement and communications strategies, including for the mission to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons.

Prior to the OPCW, Dr Sawczak enjoyed a wide-ranging career at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which included postings to Washington, Brussels and Moscow. He also served as international security adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs 2011-2012.

Dr Sawczak holds a PhD in Slavic Studies from Monash University.