International relations

The first Pacific workers under the Government’s new Pacific Pathways Plan (PPP) have arrived in Australia to fill critical workforce gaps immediately without the need for quarantine.

Australian Government and Civil Society held their inaugural Engagement on 12 November 2021 to mark the start of a ten-year partnership under the second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2021-2031, releasing a Joint Statement on their commitment to ensure implementation is enriched by the perspectives, learning and evidence from Civil Society, in Australia and in our region.

Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp redevelopment is nearing completion and will be operational in early 2022.

Australia welcomes the finalisation of the Paris Rulebook at COP26 in Glasgow. 

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and Aotearoa New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Local Government and Associate Minister for Māori Development, Hon Nanaia Mahuta, have today held the biannual Australia-New Zealand Foreign Minister Consultations.

Australia commends Trinidad and Tobago for efforts to honour its international obligations with respect to migrants and refugees, particularly its establishment of a National Registration Process to register Venezuelan nationals.

Australia commends Antigua and Barbuda’s continued engagement in the UPR process and acknowledges the progress it has made since the last review period. In particular, Australia commends the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Australia has been following the unrest in Eswatini throughout 2021, and regrets the loss of life and injuries sustained. We condemn acts of violence and encourage the inclusion of all stakeholders in peaceful and open dialogue about the way forward.

Australia welcomes Thailand’s return to democracy and abolition of military trials of civilians since its last review. We welcome progress towards the adoption of legislation criminalising torture and enforced disappearances.

Australia welcomes Ireland’s continued international human rights advocacy, including during its term on the UN Security Council. Australia commends Ireland on ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Australia notes steps taken to recognise survivors of Ireland’s Mother and Baby Homes and looks forward to the publication of redress proposals expected before Cabinet later in 2021.