Ambassador to ASEAN

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Will Nankervis as Australia’s new Ambassador to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Southeast Asia has profound strategic and economic significance for Australia. Our Strategic Partnership with ASEAN is founded on longstanding political, economic and people-to-people ties. The ASEAN economies offer exciting opportunities for Australian and ASEAN businesses.

As ASEAN’s first dialogue partner, Australia has long recognised and valued the central role of a strong and cohesive ASEAN in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Australia is working closely with ASEAN and ASEAN-led architecture to promote health security and regional stability, and to chart a course for economic recovery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are also continuing important cooperation on critical issues including maritime security, countering human trafficking, promoting regional connectivity and digital transformation, supporting disaster preparedness and combating marine debris.

Mr Nankervis is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Assistant Secretary, Indo-Pacific Strategy and Regional Maritime Branch. He has previously served overseas in the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and in Colombo.

Mr Nankervis holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science from the University of Queensland.

I thank previous Ambassador Jane Duke for her contribution to advancing Australia’s interests in ASEAN since 2016.