Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: December 19, 1983
• Invested on: April 11, 1984

In the course of nearly thirty years in the diplomatic service Alan Beesley has served in senior positions at home and abroad and has represented his country at important conferences of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. His greatest contribution has been in the law of the sea negotiations, a difficult field in which he has become a respected world authority and defender of Canada's marine interests. He received the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Public Service in 1983.