Axel Wabenhorst

Ambassador to Qatar

I am honoured to be Australia’s first resident Ambassador to Qatar, and look forward to building on the already solid links between our two countries.  Qatar Airways doubled the number of its flights to Australia in 2016, and now flies to Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.  This increase in passenger and freight capacity is a strong foundation on which to develop further ties in trade, investment, education and tourism.

Australia has much to offer Qatar.  Perhaps the most direct contribution to bilateral ties comes from the thousands of Australians living in Qatar, working in fields as diverse as engineering, finance, IT and journalism.  Our clean, green environment produces high quality agricultural products, and the increase in direct air links provides the opportunity to increase fresh food exports.  Australia has expertise in water management.  Australia is an innovative country: Australian universities rank among the world’s best.  Australian companies have been active in Qatar in infrastructure design and construction.  Australia has hosted major events including the 2000 Olympic Games and 2015 Asian Football Cup, and will host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.  Qatar can draw on this experience for hosting the 2022 Football World Cup.

The new Embassy will work hard to build on a strong foundation to increase bilateral ties.  We look forward to developing closer links with the Qatari Government and people.