Nauru high commission officially opens in Canberra
REPUBLIC OF NAURU
Government Information Office
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, 3 March, 2022
Nauru high commission
officially opens in Canberra
On 2 March His Excellency President
Lionel Aingimea officially opened Nauru's high commission in
Canberra, Australia with the raising of the Nauru flag marking a
significant milestone in the diplomatic relations of Nauru and
Australia.
"Our physical presence here will
enable regular and on-going policy dialogue on a wide range of
issues from climate change, health security, labour mobility and
many others," President Aingimea said.
Camilla Solomon was appointed in
2020 as the first high commissioner.
The government made a key foreign
policy decision in 2020 seeking to establish a high commission in
Canberra - a decision that goes back to January 1968 when Nauru
attained independence and the diplomatic relations between
Australia and Nauru established soon after.
"Nauru's first President, the late
Head Chief Hammer DeRoburt, believed strongly that appointing a
High Commissioner would give the position weight of authority and
influence, and starting in 1972, had several discussions with the
Australian Representative Richard Gate, regarding this issue."
President Aingimea acknowledged the
leadership role Australia plays in advancing peace and security in
the region today and underscored that Nauru remaining one of the
very few COVID-free countries in the world is made possible through
Australia's commitment and support in key sectors of social,
economic, infrastructure and health security.
The high commission was established
in early 2020 but due to COVID-19, the office was unable to hold an
official opening.
Following the opening, President
Aingimea paid a courtesy visit to the Australian Governor-General
David Hurley AC DSC (retd).
Later that evening was the
unveiling of the high commission plaque. Being mindful of COVID the
ceremony was a closed event reserved for high commission staff and
a few members of the presidential delegation.