The Australia Group is proud to celebrate forty years of cooperation at the forefront of global counter-proliferation efforts to prevent the acquisition and development of chemical and biological weapons.
From the original fifteen members in 1985, the Group has expanded to include 42 countries from different regions as well as the European Union, with India becoming our newest member in 2018. We welcome Albania as a new unilateral adherent. We encourage more countries to engage with the Australia Group.
All Australia Group members recall their full commitment to both the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Australia Group will continue to set international standards for export controls on sensitive dual-use chemical and biological materials, equipment and technologies to prevent the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons.
Collectively, the Australia Group delivers a vital global good that supports the prohibition of chemical and biological weapons. This makes a critical contribution to international security.
To achieve this, in the context of increasing and evolving proliferation challenges and risks, members of the Australia Group harmonise and update national export controls on sensitive dual-use chemicals, biological materials and related equipment and technology. The Group also regularly shares experiences, best practices and other relevant information.
The Australia Group is agile and responsive to changes in both emerging dual-use technology and the global strategic landscape to ensure the effectiveness of our Common Control Lists.
The Australia Group's success derives from the strength of each member's sovereign export control framework and a shared commitment to countering the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons.
We operate transparently. Many countries use our publicly available Common Control Lists, Guidelines and best practices which set the benchmark for chemical and biological weapons related export controls globally.
Our coordinated efforts provide the confidence, trust and assurance necessary for legitimate trade and scientific cooperation for peaceful purposes, while preventing the spread of chemical and biological weapons.
On our 40th anniversary we strengthen our resolve to shape and drive global counter-proliferation efforts.