Today I announce the appointment of Dr Peter Hunter as Australia's next Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Dr Hunter will also represent Australia in the Central African Republic, the Republic of Djibouti, and the Republic of South Sudan. He will also work with the African Union, based in Ethiopia, as well as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
Australia and Ethiopia share a longstanding relationship, underpinned by our people, humanitarian support for food security, agricultural research partnership, and growing trade and investment interests.
Australia is supporting community-led development and advancing gender equality and women's empowerment in Ethiopia, including through Australia Awards scholarships, the Direct Aid Program, and the Australian NGO Cooperation Program.
Dr Hunter is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently seconded to the United States Department of State.
He has previously served overseas in the United States, Kenya and Papua New Guinea.
I thank outgoing Ambassador Julia Niblett for her contributions to advancing Australia's interests in Ethiopia since 2021.