Vigan City, Ilocos Sur – The City Government of Vigan led by City Mayor Juan Carlo Medina welcomes Australian Ambassador to the Phlippines, Steven J. Robinson AO together with his wife and staff last February 28, 2020 at Vigan City Hall.
“My purpose is to go around the country and visit many provinces as many as I can for me to really understand the Philippines. And every province is different and has different sets of issues and so I’m trying to build links between Australia and Philippines. And by meeting all the Governors and City Mayors of the places I visit, it will give me insights to what we could do with them in the future.” Ambassador Robinson said.
The ambassador also added that they choose to visit the heritage City of Vigan because of its history, culture and native products such as the Abel Iloco and Burnay.
Mr. Robinson is a senior career officer (Deputy Secretary level) in the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio. Over his extensive career, he developed and expanded Australia’s relationships with a broad range of countries, with a particular focus on the South East Asian region. He served in Australia’s embassies in Jakarta, Yangon and Bangkok and held a range of senior positions in
Canberra across operational and corporate areas.
Mr. Robinson is a Deputy Secretary-level officer from the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade, who presented his credentials to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on 15 January 2019.
In 2009, Mr Robinson was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) “for service to Australia’s international interests through a significant and sustained contribution”.