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Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has announced new ambassadorial appointments to Germany, the Federated States of Micronesia, and APEC.
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Minister Wong confirmed the new ambassadorial appointments on 10 March and said that the new postings will support Australia’s global interests and create new opportunities for international collaboration.
The appointments include Natasha Smith as the country’s next ambassador to Germany.
Most recently, Smith served as the first assistant secretary, multilateral policy, First Nations and human rights division at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Smith has also previously served as high commissioner to Canada.
Jenny Grant-Curnow was also appointed as ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia, who recently served as acting assistant secretary, key sectors branch in the Office of the Pacific within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
She has also served as head of the Representative Office in the Palestinian Territories.
Minister Wong also appointed Elizabeth Ward as Australia’s ambassador for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation during the recent round of appointments. She has worked in the Department of Foreign Affairs, including as Australian consul-general in Hong Kong.
APEC promotes open markets, regulatory cooperation and rules-based trade in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC members total 60 per cent of global GDP and 75 per cent of trade.
The announcement comes as Minister Wong unveiled support to 38 community, university, and business projects following the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne.
The support is expected to include Australia-ASEAN Youth summits for high school students, support for the University of Sydney to communicate shared histories, and support for Deakin University to accelerate energy transition in Malaysia, Vietnam, and Australia.
It is also expected to include support for the Australia-Indonesia Institute and assistance for the NSW Rural Doctors Network to support community health in remote areas of Indonesia and programs to empower female entrepreneurs.
Minister Wong took to Twitter to call for deeper relations between Australia and its Asia-Pacific neighbours.
“From day one we said we would deepen our engagement with Southeast Asia, and that’s what we have done.
“This week, we welcomed leaders and ministers for a historic ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.
“By working with our neighbours and friends, we can deliver for Australians.”
Liam Garman
Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
