Middle East and Africa (MAD)

Paul Griffiths is senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the First Assistant Secretary (FAS) of the Middle East and Africa Division. Paul was previously FAS of Executive Division and DFAT’s Chief Risk Officer.

The Australia – Africa (Regional) Development Partnership Plan 2025–2030 (DPP) translates into action the development priorities Australia shares with African countries.

On 19 June 2025, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to promote mutually beneficial partnerships between Australia and Africa.

The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity.

Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR) 2024-25 Grant recipients

Today, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom have announced sanctions and other measures targeting Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

The Independent, End of Program Evaluation of Digital Earth Africa Phase II provides an independent assessment of the progress made by Digital Earth Africa to deliver on end-of-program objectives.

As we collectively endeavor towards achieving the SDGs, it is imperative to recognize that women and girls play an indispensable role in this pursuit.

I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the 'Group of Friends of Accountability following the aggression against Ukraine’, a cross-regional group consisting of 47 States and the European Union.