1.1(6) Middle East and Africa
Overview
Weak institutions, struggling economies, and rising extremism in parts of the Middle East and North Africa posed direct challenges to stability in the region and Australia’s international security and economic interests. Nevertheless, strong economic growth and commercial opportunities were evident in other areas, particularly the Gulf.
The department worked constructively through the UN Security Council and our regional posts to mitigate the effects of the ongoing crisis in Syria and to assist efforts to bring peace and stability to other conflict areas of the Middle East. We actively supported P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom and United States) efforts to negotiate a settlement of the Iran nuclear issue.
Our aid program made an important contribution to building institutional capacity for a future Palestinian state in support of efforts for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian issue.
The department used visits, education and trade promotions, outreach to peak business councils, and the Council for Australia–Arab Relations to expand trade and investment, in line with the Government’s economic diplomacy agenda. Total goods trade with the Middle East and North Africa region grew by 15.3 per cent to $16.5 billion in 2013.
The department, working through our missions in New York and Africa, and with international partners, made strong, informed contributions on African peace and security issues—which account for nearly two-thirds of the UNSC’s agenda. We advocated Australia’s business credentials, particularly in the mining sector, to African leaders and at high-level mining conferences. Our aid efforts contributed to healthier, more resilient African communities with increased economic opportunities.
Total Australian aid to the Middle East and Africa delivered by the department was $344.4 million. Of this we provided close to $60 million in humanitarian assistance in response to conflicts. (See 1.9(2).)
Middle East and North Africa
Supporting Australia’s interests in helping address the ongoing crisis in Syria, the department led Australia’s multifaceted response, including through the provision of $52.5 million in humanitarian assistance. We supported Ms Bishop’s talks in Jordan and Lebanon in April 2014 during which she announced a $20 million contribution to the ‘No Lost Generation’ education initiative, recognising the regional impact of the Syria crisis on those neighbouring countries. Australia has contributed more than $132 million in response to the Syria crisis since the violence began in 2011.
Australia worked hard in the UN Security Council for action on Syria, including by co-authoring resolutions 2139 and 2165 on humanitarian access and protection of civilians, and co-sponsoring resolution 2118 on elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons program. We implemented further autonomous sanctions against the Assad regime and urged the parties to achieve a political transition. (See also 1.1(10).) We contributed $2 million to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to support the mission overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons program.
The department organised Ms Bishop’s visit to Israel in January 2014 where she reiterated Australia’s long-standing position on the need for a negotiated two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. The department offered strong support to US-led peace talks, actively contributed to Middle East consultations in the Security Council, and provided $54.2 million in aid to the Palestinian Territories to help build the foundations of a future Palestinian state, including through support for institutional capacity development, economic growth, governance reform and humanitarian needs.
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Ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma (second right), accompanied by the head of the Ramallah Representative Office, Tom Wilson (fourth right), talks with Rafidia Hospital staff, recipients of a DAP-funded operating microscope for cataract surgery, Nablus, Palestinian Territories, 4 December 2013. [DFAT]
One of the most important issues on the international security agenda is Iran’s nuclear program, and the department supported negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran on a comprehensive agreement to resolve international concerns. We urged Iran to comply with relevant UNSC resolutions and cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Australia worked as chair of the Iran Sanctions Committee in the Security Council and with regional partners to improve the effectiveness of UNsanctions. We implemented additional Australian autonomous sanctions against Iran in July 2013 and January 2014.
The expansion of terrorist control of territory from Syria into north and west Iraq was a growing threat to regional and international security. Iraq was therefore a major preoccupation for the department, and we provided diplomatic support to Iraqi Government and international efforts to combat international terrorist group the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant. We provided $5 million in humanitarian support to assist displaced Iraqis. We used Australia’s UNSC seat to co-sponsor a resolution establishing a sanctions framework in Yemen to encourage the country’s democratic transition. The department followed developments in Egypt closely and encouraged an inclusive political approach and a quick return to democratic rule, while advocating respect for human rights and the protection of minorities.
Despite the security complexity in the region, there is dynamism and significant economic potential. Reinvigorating commercial relations was, therefore, a major priority for the department. We supported Mr Robb’s visit to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in April 2014—the first by a Trade Minister for some years. The Minister pressed ministerial counterparts for resumption of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council. He also advanced another major commercial objective in meeting and encouraging major sovereign wealth funds to increase investment in Australia.
The Minister witnessed the entry into force of a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with the United Arab Emirates that will open up new uranium sales opportunities. Mr Robb also took part in the Australia Unlimited Gulf annual trade promotion events, supported the 27 Australian education institutions at the International Exhibition and Conference on Higher Education in Riyadh, and opened the Council for Australian–Arab Relations-funded high-level policy forums on the ‘Food, Water, Energy Nexus’. The department worked with peak business councils in the region, and helped facilitate the launch of the Australia Saudi Business Council.
The department ensured sustained engagement with major countries in the region on key security, political and economic interests by: facilitating the Prime Minister’s October 2013 visit to the United Arab Emirates; holding senior officials’ talks with the Arab League (December 2013), Iraq (December 2013) and Morocco (April 2014); and supporting parliamentary exchanges (the Speaker to Morocco and Tunisia in May 2014 and parliamentary delegations to the United Arab Emirates in March and April 2014).
Sub-Saharan Africa
The department maintained momentum in engagement with Africa through representation at two African Union summits in January and June 2014 and support for high-level meetings and visits.
We held senior officials’ talks with Nigeria in December 2013 and supported the visit by a parliamentary delegation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in March 2014. We welcomed ministers from nine African countries and high-level delegations from a further six to the Africa Down Under (ADU) mining conference in August 2013.
The department was actively involved in UNSC debates on South Sudan, Central African Republic, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and Sudan. We contributed to the mandate renewal for the UN Mission in South Sudan ensuring prioritisation of protection of civilians in the conflict. We provided over $46.2 million in humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of people affected by crises on the continent, including those seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.
The department led a review of policy settings on Zimbabwe to ensure that Australia was well placed to respond to the evolving situation in that country. The review resulted in adjustment to our sanctions regime and contacts policy. The changes will help us engage with reformist elements in the new Government of Zimbabwe and encourage Zimbabwe to move in a positive political and economic direction.
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High Commissioner to Ghana, Joanna Adamson, being briefed by Australian mining company, Noble Gold Bibiani Ltd, officials on their operations, Bibiani, Western Ghana, 5 July 2013. [DFAT]
Australia–Africa two-way merchandise trade was $12 billion in 2013—more than double 2009 levels—and investment from South African companies in Australia has grown significantly. The department promoted trade and investment partnerships at the ADU mining conference in Perth and the Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town. We supported the Foreign Minister’s participation in ADU and facilitated meetings with visiting African ministers. In February 2014, the department supported the Western Australia Premier’s attendance at Mining Indaba and a visit to Zambia. The Premier promoted the Australian mining sector and signed an MOU with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa to promote vocational training and facilitate broader investment in agriculture and mining.
Our targeted development assistance program of $218.2 million in Africa supported skills development and better policy making in the mining sector—a sector which, if managed well, will contribute substantially to economic growth. We also supported economic productivity through improved agricultural technologies and access to financial services, training and Australia Awards. (See also 1.9(2).)
| Exports | Exports | Imports | Imports | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goods and services | 2012 | 2013 | Trend growth 2008–2013 | 2012 | 2013 | Trend growth 2008–2013 |
| $m | $m | % | $m | $m | % | |
| Total Africa (b) (d) (e) | 4,526 | 4,624 | –3.1 | 7,932 | 6,795 | 22.9 |
| South Africa (c) (d) | 1,919 | 1,767 | –7.2 | 1,338 | 1,361 | –6.1 |
| Other (b) (d) | 2,607 | 2,857 | 0.3 | 6,594 | 5,434 | 43.1 |
(a) Goods data on a recorded trade basis, services data on a balance of payments basis.
(b) Excludes selected confidential export commodities from partner country totals from June 2013 onwards. Therefore movements in the confidentialised country totals may not reflect the true pattern of trade.
(c) Total includes actual export total for 2013 for South Africa.
(d) Excludes selected confidential import commodities from partner country totals from September 2008 onwards. Therefore movements in the confidentialised country totals may not reflect the true pattern of trade.
(e) Total includes actual export total for 2013 for South Africa.
Based on DFAT STARS database, ABS catalogue 5368.0.55.004 and unpublished ABS data.
Outlook
The department will work closely with the international community to address shared security and humanitarian challenges arising from conflicts in Syria and Iraq and from Iran’s nuclear program. Growing trade and commercial links with the region will be a priority. We will continue to press for a resumption of FTA negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, promote increased investment to Australia, including from large sovereign wealth funds in the region, and advocate our world-class education sector. Our aid program in the Palestinian Territories will focus on developing institutional capacity for a future Palestinian state, private sector economic growth, and humanitarian needs.
The department will continue to promote Australia’s interests in Sub-Saharan Africa through economic diplomacy, strengthening key relationships and delivering a targeted and effective aid program. Africa will continue to be a major focus for our work on the UN Security Council.
