Lisa Gittos

First Secretary , Cyber and Digital Affairs, Australian Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva

Lisa Gittos is First Secretary for digital affairs and cyber security at the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

Throughout her career she sought out opportunities to advance gender equality and social inclusion. Ms. Gittos is committed to ensuring the voices and perspectives of women and girls are at the centre of the ICT policy making process.

Ms Gittos co-chaired a major donor group which aimed to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women across UN agencies in Geneva.

A multilateral specialist, Ms Gittos has represented Australia at various forums including the Human Rights Council, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations Education Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Prior to working on digital policy and the International Telecommunication Union, Ms Gittos worked on international climate policy and negotiations including the Paris Agreement on climate change.

In response to the under representation of women in policy development and climate negotiations, she designed and successfully implemented a training and networking program to strengthen the capacity of women from the Asia Pacific to engage in negotiations. Its alumni have reached senior positions across the globe.

Lisa has negotiated positive outcomes on gender equality including the first ever Gender Action Plan under the UNFCCC which aims to advance gender-responsive climate action as well as women’s participation in the UNFCCC process.

In 2019 she received an International Women’s Day award for advancing gender equality in foreign policy.

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Mass Communication and Masters Degree in International Relations. ​