Todd McClay

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Todd Michael McClay (born 22 November 1968) is a Cook Islands Diplomat and acts as Cook Islands Ambassador to the European Union.

He formerly worked in the European Parliament as Head of Staff to Lord Henry Plumb, President of the European Parliament and Leader of the British Conservatives in the European Parliament. He has also been active in European government affairs and lobbying and was a founder and former CEO of PRM European Lobbyists.

In 2000 the Cook Islands joined the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP) and he was appointed as special representative of the Cook Islands.

In 2002 the Cook Islands government upgraded its representation to the level of diplomatic mission at which time McClay was appointed Ambassador to the EU. He has represented the Cook Islands at many international meetings and conferences including WTO, FAO, ACP, EU and UN.

The son of Roger McClay, a former New Zealand politician, he was born in Rotorua, New Zealand and was educated at Tauhara College, Taupo, Wesley College, Auckland and Wellington Polytechnic, Wellington. He has also gained a Bachelor of Science degree in politics and a Masters of International Public Law (LLM).

Todd McClay has been active in Pacific Islands, European and New Zealand diplomacy and politics since 1992 and is the Cook Islands' first accredited diplomat outside of the Pacific region. He remains the youngest appointed Head of Mission to the European Union. In 2002 Todd McClay was appointed Niue's Ambassador to the EU (in addition to the Cook Islands)presenting credentials to the President of the European Commission. Mr Romano Prodi, in that same year.