Ambassador to Nepal

Today I announce the appointment of Ms Leann Johnston as Australia’s next Ambassador to Nepal.

Australia and Nepal share a commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean region.

Our two countries are working together to broaden and increase bilateral economic engagement under the Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement signed at the 2024 Indian Ocean Conference in Perth.

In 2023, Nepal was Australia’s second largest trading partner in South Asia, with total bilateral trade of $4.6 billion, up by around 56 per cent from 2022. Nepal is now in the top 20 export markets for Australia.

Australia provided an estimated $27.2 million in Official Development Assistance to Nepal in 2023-24, focused on climate change and governance.

Our relationship is underpinned by a vibrant Nepalese community in Australia. Over 150,000 people of Nepalese heritage call Australia home.

Ms Johnston is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Acting Australian High Commissioner in Abuja. She has previously served overseas in Fiji, France, Spain, Afghanistan, Kenya, Sweden, Germany, Türkiye and New Zealand.

I thank outgoing Ambassador Felicity Volk for her contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Nepal since 2021.