Middle East and Africa (MAD)

The aim of the Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR) is to broaden and strengthen Australian-Arab relations by advancing areas of shared political, economic, and social interest and building a greater appreciation of each other's cultures and values.

Australia's relationship with the Palestinian Authority and engagement in Palestine is in support of a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Palestinian Authority has a representative office in Canberra and Australia has one in Ramallah.

Australia’s development cooperation with African nations helps to advance stability, growth and prosperity. We support countries of Sub-Saharan Africa with targeted development cooperation activities to help build food security and resilience, strengthen government capacity in key sectors, empower vulnerable communities, and share knowledge in areas such as climate adaptation and renewable energy.

Australia's development cooperation and humanitarian assistance is a practical demonstration of our genuine commitment to the Palestinian people. Australia remains committed to a two-state solution in which Israel and Palestine coexist in peace and security, within internationally recognised borders.

The Syria conflict crisis remains one of the largest humanitarian and security crises facing the world today. In 2025, the United Nations estimates that 16.7 million people, including 7.5 million children require humanitarian assistance. Key issues include access to shelter, water, food, education, and economic opportunities.

The Republic of Yemen is an Arab country occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea to the south, and Oman to the north-east. Of Yemen's 200 islands, the largest is Socotra, about 354 km to the south of mainland Yemen.

The State of Qatar occupies an 11,600 square kilometre peninsula on the northeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula.

Oman has a population of 4.6 million (2023). Foreign expatriates are estimated to make up to 40 per cent of the population. Administratively, Oman is divided into six regions.

The Kingdom of Bahrain comprises an archipelago of islands with a total size of 712 sq. km (less than one third the size of the Australian Capital Territory), situated in the Persian Gulf, to the east of Saudi Arabia and west of Qatar.