International relations

Australia's contribution to the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council.

Nine years have passed since an Arbitral Tribunal, constituted under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, made a unanimous, clear, and binding ruling in the South China Sea arbitration between the Philippines and China.

Australia has imposed sanctions on vessels in response to situations of international concern, including in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and to increase pressure on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to comply with its nonproliferation obligations.

In accordance with section 15 of the Charter of the United Nations Act 1945 (Cth) (the Act), the Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has previously listed, by legislative instrument, certain persons and entities. These persons and entities are hereby given notice that these listings are being considered as to whether they will continue to have effect.

In the face of increasing contestation and the rollback of hard-won progress, we reaffirm our commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

Australia and China held the 8th bilateral High Level Talks on the Pacific on 25 June 2025.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has by legislative instrument designated persons and entities for targeted financial sanctions and declared persons for travel bans (together, 'listed') in accordance with item 6A of regulation 6 (the Russia Criteria) of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (the Regulations).

On 19 May, AUSTRAC released ‘the second public consultation on new AML/CTF Rules’. Among the proposed changes include the requirement for reporting entities regulated by AUSTRAC to develop, maintain and comply with policies to ensure that they do not contravene targeted financial sanctions obligations, including asset freezing, in the provision of their designated services.

The Australian Government has directed the departure of all Australian officials and dependents and suspended operations at our Embassy in Tehran, based on advice about the deteriorating security environment in Iran.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has by legislative instrument designated 60 vessels as sanctioned vessels for Russia (‘listed’) in accordance with regulation 8 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (the Regulations).