Today I announce the appointment of Ms Karen Bray as Australia's next High Commissioner to the Republic of Kiribati.
Kiribati and Australia have deep and strong ties, built on a solid foundation of bilateral cooperation, common strategic interests, shared history, community links and mutual respect.
In February 2023, I had the great pleasure of visiting Kiribati, where I signed the Tobwaan Te Reitaki MoU, a Memorandum of Understanding on Nurturing Cooperation. This MoU further strengthens our comprehensive partnership commits us to new cooperation on maritime security, economic infrastructure, policing and borders, and addressing climate change. It builds on Australia's longstanding support in the areas of health, education, labour mobility and regional connectivity.
Our two countries will continue to advance our bilateral relationship and our shared interests as members of the Pacific family.
Ms Bray is a career public servant who was most recently Director, Pacific Fisheries and Maritime Section in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
She also served overseas as a Strategic and Governance Adviser in the Timorese Ministry of Defence under the Defence Cooperation Program.
I thank former High Commissioner David Yardley for his contributions to advancing Australia's interests in Kiribati since 2021.
