International relations

I am pleased to announce that Australia will nominate Ms Rosemary Kayess for re-election to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), for 2023-2026.

The Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Vice Admiral David Johnston AO RAN, spoke for the second time with the Deputy Commander-in Chief of the Myanmar military, Vice Senior General Soe Win.

The second Australia and Germany 2+2 Security Policy Consultations between Foreign and Defence Ministries addressed key security and regional challenges faced by both countries.

Australia has played a key role in reinvigorating the global AIDS response, helping achieve a new global commitment on the way forward.

Australia is deeply saddened by the loss and suffering from the recent violence in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

In light of the imminent international military withdrawal from Afghanistan, Australia will as an interim measure revert to the model of visiting accreditation for our diplomatic representation to Afghanistan, which we used from the opening of diplomatic relations in 1969 until 2006.

The Australian Government has been notified by Chinese authorities that Australian citizen, Dr Yang Hengjun (Dr Yang Jun), will face trial on 27 May 2021.

To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of diplomatic ties between Australia and the Philippines this year, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has recorded a video message for Philippine-Australia Friendship Day on May 22.