Jessica Swann-Jadwat

Law, journalism, Islam/West dialogue.

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

A year ago, Ridwaan @AusAmbUAE and I departed Australia headed for the UAE to take up diplomic posting in Abu Dhabi as Head of Mission family. Ridwaan has done an incredible job as Australia’s Ambassador to the UAE and I’m obviously very proud of him.

He runs a tight and busy ship and it’s an amazing opportunity and privilege to be on this journey with him, representing Australia.

For me, it has been a return to the UAE after leaving in 2011 when I departed Dubai to take up the position of Mornings Presenter with #ABCRiverland @abcadelaide in South Australia.

The UAE is like a second home for me, and no doubt also for the 20,000 Aussies that live here.

Here’s an official video we’ve released today with a few important highlights and also some special moments over the past year.

[Ridwaan Jadwat 🇦🇺 @AusAmbUAE]

It has now been 12 months since I began my posting as Australia’s Ambassador to the UAE and it has been a tremendous experience.
Our team is thrilled with all that we have achieved so far with our Emirati partners, including the negotiation and signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
We are looking forward to taking the bilateral relationship to new heights as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Australia’s diplomatic relationship with the UAE in 2025.
This video provides a snapshot of the year in review.

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

All Aboard the Diplomatic Love Train! A Valentine’s Day reflection on love second time around https://t.co/EzWfSvepGO

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

From Shinrin-yoku to Tayammum: Finding Balance in Nature #Ramadan2026 #UAE #Islam #Spirituality #Desert #ShinrinYoku #Tayammum #WorkLifeBalance https://t.co/LoxceDnTpg

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

Cultural Diplomacy & Emirati-Kuwaiti Women’s Economic Empowerment in the UAE https://t.co/JsJ7gUPZ0I

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

From Ancient Roots to Modern Faith: Representing Australia in the UAE and our 65,000-Year Heritage https://t.co/8t9PwOjHq7

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

The Power of Soft‑Power Cultural Diplomacy https://t.co/1fyBr3mcrC

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

Soft Power Diplomacy - Wives of Ambassadors to the UAE meet at the Austr... https://t.co/4Y31Gq37Cq via @YouTube

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

RT @AusAmbUAE: It is difficult to put into adequate words the heartbreak and sadness that we feel at this tragic time in the aftermath of t…

[Ridwaan Jadwat 🇦🇺 @AusAmbUAE]

Please join the Australian and New Zealand Embassies for a commemorative ANZAC Day Dawn Service on Friday 25 April at Yas Links, Abu Dhabi. 🇦🇺🇳🇿
#anzacday #lestweforget

[Ridwaan Jadwat 🇦🇺 @AusAmbUAE]

Yesterday our team hosted CEOs from @ypoaunz. Fantastic to see Australian business leaders from retail, tech, food professional services and beverage sectors exploring opportunities in the UAE. @InvestAbuDhabi @OrotonStudio @DashingGroup @WaterhouseVC #UAE_AUS50

[Ridwaan Jadwat 🇦🇺 @AusAmbUAE]

It was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet the inspiring staff and students @MiddlesexDubai and to participate in a thought-provoking Q&A session!

[Ridwaan Jadwat 🇦🇺 @AusAmbUAE]

A great privilege of being an Ambassador is the opportunity to meet some extraordinary members of the Australian community. And that was certainly the case when my wife Jessica and I attended the premiere of a film called Mountain Boy https://t.co/xui6OexRdr

The film is based on the 2017 book The Boy Who Knew Mountains, by Australian author Michele Ziolkowski. The film is produced Nancy Paton, the Australian founder of @desertrosefilms. It is the first feature film by Emirati director Zainab Shaheen and it is a magnificent film that touched our hearts.

It captures the beauty of the land and the heritage of the UAE in such a vivid way and it was wonderful to see that it is the product of a fantastic collaboration between super talented Australians and Emiratis.

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

Australia v Pakistan 🇦🇺🇵🇰🏏 we won!
Giving our world class Aussie women’s team a whole lotta love at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai as they played against Pakistan tonight. (full disclosure, I still understand very little about the game of cricket but I sure loved supporting our women’s team and the Aussie vibe). ❤️🇦🇺🏏

[Ridwaan Jadwat 🇦🇺 @AusAmbUAE]

Congratulations to our @AusWomenCricket team for their magnificent win against Pakistan tonight in Dubai in the @T20WorldCup. Thrilled be in the stadium to cheer them on!
#T20WorldCup
@CricketAus

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

Never Tear Us Apart - Mind blown! Michael Hutchence would have been proud.

TKL absolutely delivered. He was SO good.

He did INXS proud.

https://t.co/4ZDQnGH6rg

Kid Laroi - NRL Grand Final 2024 Accor Stadium Sydney N.S.W 6/10/24 https://t.co/R3ZW6aBL64 via @YouTube

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

@AusAmbUAE @fahimaq Looks like a fabulous meeting of minds. Feeling a slight case of FOMO, I love Bait Al Hikmah. Such a wonderful space nurturing humanity through the sharing of knowledge.

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

Love this pic of my husband and our Aussie Defence Force team at Headquarters Middle East - this pic goes #straighttothepoolroom

[Ridwaan Jadwat 🇦🇺 @AusAmbUAE]

I had the honour to recently visit Colonel Scottie Morris and the ADF team deployed to Headquarters Middle East, deliver a speech and engage in a great q and a session with the team. #YourADF is ready to support Australian interests globally.

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

Watching @abcnews 24 live this morning here in #AbuDhabi, witnessing the official #CEPA #TradeAgreement announcement. To suggest I’m proud of my husband @AusAmbUAE, the team and Emirati counterparts is an understatement. Our first Trade Agreement with any country in the Middle East AND I’m SO happy to see First Nations being included! #Buyblak 🖤💛❤️🙏✨

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

@barriecassidy Very quick.

[Jessica Swann-Jadwat @JessicaSwann]

In this article, My Headscarf Tells a Story - Mina Mina Jukurrpa - I discuss (to the best of my ability as an Ally) its meaning and origins in Warlpiri Culture along with offering modern context in the ancient belief of ‘sovereignty’ as a spiritual notion https://t.co/AXiBMf6Hq8