Australia has named new envoys for Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, APEC and Nauru.
Career diplomat Mark Donovan has been named as Australia’s next Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Mr Donovan will also be accredited to Bahrain, Oman and Yemen.
“Australia has a strong and growing bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia, with which we share economic ties and security interests”, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement on Friday.
Saudi Arabia is Australia’s second largest trading partner in the Middle East, with two-way trade reached over $1.9 billion in 2020.
Besides collaborating in the G20, Australia and Saudi Arabia also have strong people-to-people links, including in education and with Saudi Arabia hosting Australian Muslims for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
Australia’s long-standing relations with Bahrain include defence and commercial ties. Australia also enjoys a friendly relationship with Oman and has hosted a vibrant Omani student population. Australia engages with the Government of Yemen to promote peace and stability in the country.
Another career diplomat Dr Justin Lee has been named as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Malaysia.
Malaysia and Australia are long-standing friends and natural partners. In 2021, the relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Australia is expanding cooperation with Malaysia to address region’s most pressing challenges, collaborating on economic recovery from COVID-19, the digital economy, health, mental health, education, multilateral engagement, including through the Commonwealth, and in new areas of science and innovation.
Foreign Minister Payne also announced Dr Helen Cheney appointment as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Nauru.
Australia and Nauru have a long-standing relationship with deep historical and cultural ties, and strong people-to-people connections. Australia and Nauru are working closely to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthen regional security and build prosperity in the Pacific region.
Australia is Nauru’s key partner in trade, investment, and development. We value our partnership against people smuggling in the region, and Nauru’s regional processing capability.
Australia also named Helen Stylianou as Australia’s next Ambassador for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
Over 70 per cent of Australia’s trade in goods and services are with other APEC member economies, including the United States, China, Japan, and South Korea.
Australia works closely with APEC members to promote economic reforms and advocate for trade and investment liberalisation to support open and transparent markets. Through APEC, Australia drives reforms that foster innovation and the economic empowerment of women and indigenous communities.
Ms Stylianou will advance Australia’s APEC agenda to ensure the region is well placed to respond to the challenges posed by COVID-19 and to support economic recovery.
