Ambassador to Kuwait
Today I announce the appointment of Mr Warren Hauck as Australia's Ambassador to Kuwait.
Australia's relationship with Kuwait is friendly and cooperative, underpinned by strong and growing commerce and a shared commitment to stability and peace in the Middle East. Our defence ties are important, reflecting Australia's contribution to the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, subsequent basing for Australian military personnel, and current cooperation in the international coalition against Da'esh, also known as ISIL.
Annual two-way merchandise trade with Kuwait [PDF 27 KB] is around one billion dollars with strong potential for expansion in energy, infrastructure, agribusiness and tourism. Australia is Kuwait's 14th largest source of imports and Kuwait is our largest market for live sheep. Investment from Kuwait makes a welcome contribution to Australia's economy and more than 1500 Kuwaiti students are currently enrolled in Australian institutions.
Mr Hauck is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and most recently served as Director of the Ministerial and Executive Liaison Section. In Canberra, he has served in roles including Director of the Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore Section, in the Iraq Task Force, and in the Department of Finance and Administration. Overseas, Mr Hauck has served as First Secretary and later Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.
Mr Hauck holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Graduate Diploma in Economics from the Australian National University. He is married with two children.
Mr Hauck will take up his appointment in February 2015. I thank outgoing Ambassador Bob Tyson for his work in strengthening Australia's relationship with Kuwait since 2011.