Today I announce the appointment of Mr Miles Armitage as Australia’s next Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The Ambassador to Saudi Arabia is also accredited to Bahrain, Oman and Yemen.
Saudi Arabia is our second largest economic partner in the Middle East, with our bilateral trade and investment relationship continuing to grow.
Australia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are both G20 member states, with our relationship underpinned by shared interests in global security and trade.
Saudi Arabia’s hospitality towards Australian Muslims undertaking Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages and our strong education cooperation demonstrates the ongoing strength of our people-to-people links.
Australia’s longstanding diplomatic relations with Bahrain support our commercial ties, including in resources and agricultural products, and commitment to regional security.
Australia enjoys a friendly and cooperative relationship with Oman, including on Indian Ocean issues, data connectivity, agribusiness and the education sector. Australia supports efforts to promote stability in Yemen, including by providing humanitarian assistance to address food insecurity.
Mr Armitage is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is currently Australia’s Ambassador to Türkiye.
He has previously served as Australia’s Ambassador to Jordan and to Timor-Leste, Australia’s Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism, and has been posted to the Philippines, Pakistan and the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
I thank outgoing Ambassador Mr Mark Donovan for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Saudi Arabia since 2021.