International relations

Today I announce the appointment of Dr Stephanie Williams as Australia’s Ambassador for Regional Health Security.

Coronavirus [COVID-19] is now affecting 75 countries, with the total number of cases over 90,000 and the global death toll at more than 3000.

On 8 May 2018 the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Program of Action (JCPOA) in which parties agreed to terminate a range of sanctions against Iran in recognition of reforms to its nuclear program.

The Australian Government has listed Abraham Succarieh and renewed the listing of Mostafa Mahamed, also known as Mostafa Farag, for counter-terrorism targeted financial sanctions.

In October 2018, the Minister for Foreign Affairs imposed new targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on members of the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw).

On 28 November 2018, Australia introduced targeted financial sanctions in relation to Mali to implement its international obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2374 (UNSCR 2374).

On 8 December 2018 the Government amended the Charter of the United Nations (Sanctions – Democratic People's republic of Korea) Regulations 2008 to give effect to certain United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions relating to North Korea.