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H.E. Ardi Stoios-Braken (Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Australia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Nauru and the Solomon Islands)

H.E. Ardi Stoios-Braken

Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Australia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Nauru and the Solomon Islands

Her Excellency Mrs. Ardi Stoios-Braken was appointed as the Ambassador of the Netherlands in Australia, with (designated) accreditations in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Nauru and the Solomon Islands in 2023. Her previous roles include: Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (2017-2019) and Deputy Head of Mission, Republic of Indonesia (2019-2023).

Before taking senior positions with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Stoios-Braken worked in the Hague as Deputy Director of the Inclusive Green Growth Department; Deputy Head of Mission/ Head of Development Cooperation at the Dutch Embassy in Zambia; Deputy Head of Mission/ Head of Development Cooperation in Albania; Executive Coordinator for Sustainable Development in the Hague; First Secretary, Netherlands Permanent Representation to the UN in Geneva, overseeing refugee and migration matters; Second Secretary at the Dutch Embassy in Thailand, and Policy Officer Environmental Affairs within the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Multilateral Affairs Department.

In 1995, Ambassador Stoios-Braken successfully undertook diplomatic training, after having served at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on a contract basis for three years. During this period she worked in development cooperation both at headquarters and overseas: on the India and Bangladesh desks of the Asia Department (rural development programs, drinking water and sanitation) and at the Dutch Embassy in New Delhi, India (environmental programs).

Ambassador Stoios-Braken’s career in international affairs seeded early as a graduate student completing internships at MFA headquarters and in South India where she conducted research on the role of women in canal irrigation management.

She holds a Master’s Degree in both Public Administration and Development Administration from Radboud University, Nijmegen.

Ambassador Stoios-Braken is married to Australian Wayne Thomas Stoios, whom she met during her first visit to Australia in 1997. They are the proud parents of a daughter and a son. Ambassador Stoios-Braken and her family have visited Australia regularly over the past 25 years, both to catch up with family and friends and to explore the country. She is keen to become further acquainted with the country and its people in her professional capacity.

In her free time, Ambassador Stoios-Braken enjoys reading, swimming, cycling, hiking, playing tennis, watching movies, growing vegetables, and vegetarian cooking.