AMBASSADOR TO DENMARK

Today I announce the appointment of Ms Kerin Ayyalaraju as Australia’s next Ambassador to Denmark. Ms Ayyalaraju will also be accredited to Iceland and Norway.

Australia cooperates with Denmark, Norway and Iceland across a range of interests, including human rights, gender equality, international development, global oceans policy, climate action, cyber and international security.

Our trade and investment links are strong. In 2019, Danish and Norwegian investment in Australia was worth over $5.6 billion and $25.2 billion respectively, while Australian investment in these countries was worth $15.9 billion.

In Denmark, we are increasing our engagement on low emissions technology, including on advanced wind technology.

Norway and Australia have a shared priority to protect the world’s oceans. We are members of an Umbrella Group supporting implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement and the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy. We are working together to progress a global treaty on marine plastics.

Our work in Iceland focusses on multilateral cooperation, including through the Human Rights Council.

Ms Ayyalaraju is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Australia’s first Pop Up Ambassador to Estonia. She has served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission in the United Arab Emirates and previously in Vietnam and Lebanon.

Ms Ayyalaraju holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University.

I thank former Ambassador Mary Ellen Miller for her contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Denmark since 2017.