Development

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade leads the Australian Government's responses to international humanitarian crises. Australia’s Humanitarian Policy outlines how Australia harnesses resources and expertise to better prepare for and respond to humanitarian crises, both in our region and across the world.

Delivery of the Australian aid program is a whole-of-government effort which harnesses specific experience, skills and knowledge across a range of Australian Government agencies to help reduce global poverty and improve prosperity and stability in our region.

2012 ADRAS award recipients

While existing international and national codes and frameworks set the general benchmark for ethical research across universities, industry and government in Australia, the settings that surround DFAT's research are unique.

The Australian Government supports healthy, climate-resilient and inclusive societies by investing in water resources management and water, sanitation and hygiene services. The programs below are a sample of global, regional, multilateral and bilateral water-related initiatives in DFAT’s development portfolio.

The World Economic Forum has rated water crises as a 'top five global risk' in terms of impact since 2012. Climate change increases the variability and unpredictability of water availability making it a risk multiplier for water security. It is predicted that over half of the world's population will live in water-stressed regions by 2050.

The Australian Government is firmly committed to gender equality and advancing the human rights of women and girls both globally and in the Indo-Pacific.