AMBASSADOR TO SWEDEN

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Bernard Philip as Australia’s next Ambassador to Sweden. Mr Philip will also be accredited to Finland and Latvia.

Australia enjoys a warm relationship with Sweden, which is built on our strong people-to-people links and shared values. Australia and Sweden cooperate closely to promote international security, human rights and the rules-based international order.

Our two nations are also committed to open trade and investment. Australia’s total goods and services trade with Sweden was valued at $4.0 billion in 2017-18. Swedish investment in Australia was worth $8 billion in 2017, and Australian investment in Sweden was $9.3 billion.

Australia shares warm relations with Finland and Latvia, based on our liberal, democratic values. Australia looks forward to furthering our trade and investment ties with these nations. 

Mr Philip is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Assistant Secretary, Human Rights Branch. He has previously served overseas in New Delhi, Tarin Kot and Washington. In Canberra he has worked in a range of positions in DFAT and the Department of Defence.

Mr Philip holds a Master of Philosophy in International Relations from the University of Cambridge; and a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland. 

I thank outgoing Ambassador Jonathan Kenna for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Sweden since 2016.