The second meeting of the pilot First Nations Trade and Investment Advisory Group (pilot Advisory Group) took place in Brisbane/Meanjin on 12 June 2025.
Chaired by the Ambassador for First Nations People, Mr Justin Mohamed, members exchanged views on Australia's trade and investment agenda with the Ambassador, Deputy Secretary, Trade and Investment Group, Mr George Mina and Austrade’s Head of Indigenous Engagement and Export, Ms Melanie Harris. By invitation, Ms Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, Board Member of Trade and Investment Queensland joined the meeting to provide local subject matter expertise.
The pilot Advisory Group had focused discussions on identifying key priorities to support implementation of the First Nations chapter within the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in preparation for expected entry-into-force of this free trade agreement later this year.
The pilot Advisory Group also discussed Australia’s approach to supporting greater Indigenous Peoples’ trade and investment participation and collaboration within the General Review of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). DFAT welcomed members to the CPTPP Business Symposium, hosted in Australia's capacity as 2025 Chair of the CPTPP Commission, which explored the importance of open markets and rules-based trade.