News, speeches and media

Following the final negotiating round of 2023, at the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland, Members of the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce (JSI) have reached substantial conclusion of a number of global digital trade rules, covering three broad areas of (a) digital trade facilitation; (b) open digital environment; and (c) business and consumer trust. This marks a significant milestone in the JSI, which commenced negotiations in January 2019.

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

The article of 17 December published in the Herald Sun and other News Corp mastheads concerning the Australian High Commission in London contains a number of errors and misrepresentations, which we correct. DFAT has asked the Herald Sun and its partner journals correct the record to reflect the facts provided to it by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 15 December, and to reflect the additional facts DFAT has provided to it below in response to the article.

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.

The Fifth RCEP Joint Committee (RJC) was held in Manila, the Philippines on 29-30 November, co-chaired by Indonesia and Australia.

Australia is gravely concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The Australian Government will commence negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a trade agreement (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement), in the new year.

The Australian Government shares the grave concerns of the Philippines Government about a pattern of dangerous actions conducted by Chinese vessels against Philippines vessels and crew in the South China Sea.

Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs announces the new appointments of Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consuls-General, who will advance Australia's interests abroad.