Ewen McDonald is Australia’s next High Commissioner to Fiji and Australia’s inaugural Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs.
This was announced in a joint press statement today by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy.
Based in the region, Mr McDonald’s role reflects the Albanese Government’s commitment to supporting Pacific priorities under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
“It will enhance Australia’s ability to respond to collective challenges and strengthen our engagement with regional organisations as a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, whose Secretariat is based in Suva,” the statement said.
Mr McDonald is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and has headed the Office of the Pacific for the last four years.
He has previously served overseas as Australia’s High Commissioner to New Zealand with accreditation to Cook Islands and Niue.
“We thank former High Commissioner John Feakes and the staff of the Australian High Commission in Suva for their contribution and commitment to strengthening the bilateral relationship.”
