Today I announce the appointment of Ms Sophia McIntyre as Australia's next Ambassador to Spain. Ms McIntyre will also be accredited to Equatorial Guinea and Andorra.
Australia and Spain enjoy an enduring and growing bilateral relationship, reinforced by strong trade and investment ties, increasing defence industry cooperation, and deep community links. On a global stage, Australia and Spain cooperate closely in advancing gender equality and protecting human rights as co-members of the UN Human Rights Council (2018-20 term).
The relationship between Australia and Spain is underpinned by strong two-way trade. Spanish companies bring significant expertise to Australia's transport, infrastructure and renewable energy sectors. Australia has a long history of exporting to Spanish markets and appreciates Spain's ongoing support to enhance this partnership through a comprehensive and ambitious Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement.
Ms McIntyre is a senior career officer with DFAT and was most recently Assistant Secretary, Southeast Asia Regional Engagement Branch. She has previously served overseas in Athens, Colombo and Brasilia. In Canberra, Ms McIntyre was closely involved in the development of DFAT's Women in Leadership Strategy and has worked as Senior Departmental Liaison Officer to the Foreign Minister.
Ms McIntyre holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Sydney University, and a graduate diploma in Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash University.
I thank former Ambassador Julie-Ann Guivarra for her contributions to advancing Australia's interests in Spain since 2018.
