International relations

This week the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, will travel to Jordan, Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the United Arab Emirates, to support international diplomatic efforts towards a durable peace in the Middle East.

Australia congratulates Dr Lai Ching-te on his victory in the Taiwan elections held on 13 January.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, has announced the Australia-Korea Foundation grant recipients for 2023-24. These grants strengthen collaboration between Australia and the Republic of Korea by advancing our shared political, economic, and social interests.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, has announced the Australia-Japan Foundation grant recipients for 2023-24. The Foundation advances Australia's foreign and trade policy interests with Japan by supporting partnerships in areas of shared interest and increasing Australian engagement with Japan.

Australia notes the results of the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh on 7 January.

On the second anniversary of the closure of Stand News and arrest of its staff, whose prosecution remains ongoing, the members of the Media Freedom Coalition issued the following statement on media freedom in Hong Kong.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has established the Office for First Nations International Engagement to implement the Australian Government's commitment to embed First Nations perspectives into Australia's foreign policy.

Australia is experiencing an increase in persistent and pervasive cybercrime threats targeting critical infrastructure, governments, industry and the Australian community. The Government will use all lawful and appropriate levers to deter and disrupt cybercrime. Australia's autonomous sanctions framework, which is established by the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 and the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (collectively, 'Australian autonomous sanctions laws') is one tool available to respond to a significant cyber incident.

The undersigned condemn Houthi interference with navigational rights and freedoms in the waters around the Arabian Peninsula, particularly the Red Sea. 

Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom call on Israel to take immediate and concrete steps to tackle record high settler violence in the occupied West Bank.