Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia

Today I announce the appointment of Mr George Fraser as Australia's next Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Mr Fraser will also have non-resident accreditation to the Republics of the Marshall Islands and Palau.

Australia shares close and friendly relations with these three countries of the North Pacific. Our ties have broadened and deepened over recent years to include cooperation on maritime surveillance, law enforcement, regional security, environment and marine resources management. Tourism, trade and people-to-people links are growing.

Australia works with these North Pacific countries in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum to address global challenges including climate change, the protection of marine resources, and economic and governance issues.

Mr Fraser is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and has previously served as Australian High Commissioner in Kiribati; Counsellor and Consul-General in Wellington; Australian High Commissioner in Nauru; Director, Consular and Administrative Affairs in Taipei; Head of Post and Consul in Bali; and Deputy Head of Mission in Vientiane.

In Canberra, Mr Fraser has served as Director within the Projects, Remuneration and Post Management Branch and Director, Passport Operations Section.

I thank former Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia Dr Terry Beven for his contribution in advancing Australia's interests in FSM since 2014.