International relations

Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Senator the Hon Penny Wong has announced the appointment of Ms Elizabeth Ward as Australia's next Ambassador for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has published a consultation paper on proposed national security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong and sought views.

The Governments of the United States, Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom concur on these shared principles for the research and development of 6G wireless communication systems.

Two years on since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Australia mourns Ukraine's losses, and we stand unwavering in our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In accordance with item 9, regulation 6 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (Cth) (the Regulations), the Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has previously designated for targeted financial sanctions, or declared for travel bans (together ‘listed’), by legislative instrument:

Australia notes the initial results of Pakistan’s general elections held on 8 February 2024. As a friend of Pakistan, Australia has consistently called for a free, fair, inclusive and credible election process - in line with Pakistan’s Constitution and its international obligations.

Four hundred delegates from across the Indian Ocean region and beyond will meet in Perth on Friday the 9th of February for this year’s Indian Ocean Conference.

Australia commends Malta for releasing a new National Strategy on Gender-Based and Domestic Violence, and incorporating the Istanbul Convention into domestic law, and welcomes progress on implementation.

Australia welcomes the distinguished delegation from the Republic of the Congo and thanks them for the presentation of their national report.