International relations

Australia and Vietnam share a dynamic Strategic Partnership, based on strong economic, security and people-to-people ties. We share a commitment to trade and investment, liberalisation and economic connectivity. We open a new chapter, with a Joint Statement on our Commitment to Practical Climate Action and the launch of our Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy.

The human rights situation in Yemen is dire. The fourth report by the UN Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts on Yemen outlines a litany of human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law by parties to the conflict including those involving indiscriminate and disproportionate airstrikes and shelling, attacks on medical facilities and schools, failing to abide by international humanitarian law principles, humanitarian restrictions such as obstacles to access to food and healthcare, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, gender-based violence, including sexual violence, torture, denial of fair trial rights, persecution of and violations and abuses against journalists, human rights defenders, persons belonging to minorities, migrants, internally displaced persons and shocking violations and abuses of children's rights in the period July 2020 to June 2021.

Mr Chair, I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and my own country Australia. We take this opportunity to reaffirm our strong support for the Human Rights Council and to thank the President of the Human Rights Council for her report to the plenary and her interactive engagement with the Third Committee.

The Morrison Government has released a new National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy (NCRAS) ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow. 

Australians can now prepare for safe overseas travel when borders progressively re-open from 1 November, with the Australian Government reinstating country-specific travel advice levels for 177 destinations.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is committed to ensuring that children are protected in all its work. Australia is a state party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). DFAT takes its obligations under the Convention and under the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework seriously.

DFAT has a requirement for a Contractor to manage the implementation of the Support Unit for Gender Equality – SURGE.

Australia is supporting people affected by some of the most severe humanitarian crises across the world, including those related to, and exacerbated by, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia has deployed an additional Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) and a further 14 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to partner with Papua New Guinea in its response to COVID-19.

Gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls are priorities for MIKTA. This prioritisation calls for the full and effective implementation of the women, peace, and security agenda. Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights, safety and dignity of women and girls are goals in themselves, and essential for the achievement of sustainable peace