Gareth has been seconded from the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) as a Director to the IORA Secretariat since 15 January 2019. Prior to joining the Secretariat, he has held several positions in the South African Foreign Service. He has served at DIRCO Headquarters in Pretoria dealing with South Africa’s relations with IORA (2015-2019), the European Union (2009-2011), and the United States (1992-1994 and 1999-2003). He has also served abroad in DIRCO’s diplomatic missions in Windhoek, Namibia (2011-2015), Washington DC, USA (2003-2008), and Vienna, Austria (1994-1999).
Gareth leads the Secretariat’s work on strengthening academic, science and technology cooperation, as well as on fostering tourism and cultural exchanges within IORA.
Gareth has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in International Relations and Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS).