This week in Australian foreign affairs: the Prime Minister marked 25 years since Australia joined the war in Afghanistan, welcomed the leaders of Palau and Jordan to Australia, the ADF began Exercise Keris Woomera 26 with Indonesia, and more.
On 11 October, the Prime Minister released a statement marking the 25th anniversary of the commencement of Operation Slipper, Australia’s first military contribution to the war in Afghanistan. Following the 11 September 2001 attacks, Australia joined an international coalition to combat terrorism, and over the next two decades more than 35,000 Australian Defence Force (ADF) members deployed on operations in support of Afghanistan. The Government honoured all Australians who served in Afghanistan and the Middle East Area of Operations, across the Navy, Army, Air Force and civilian roles, and recognised the families and friends who carried the weight of that service.
The following day, the Australian Government welcomed the President of the Republic of Palau, H.E. Surangel S. Whipps Jr., to Australia. During his visit, President Whipps will officially open Palau’s Embassy in Australia, an important milestone in the partnership between the two countries. Australia continues to support Palau’s efforts to preserve its natural environment, promote gender equality and expand skills development, and congratulated President Whipps on his role as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum.
Also on 12 October, Exercise Keris Woomera 26 officially began in East Java. Running until 20 October, it is the ADF’s largest overseas joint training activity this year and reflects the shared security interests of Australia and Indonesia. First held in 2024, this year’s exercise includes an amphibious landing in East Java, live-fire exercises on TNI weapons ranges and maritime integration between the two navies.
On 13 October, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on his first visit to Australia since 2016. The two leaders reaffirmed their cooperation on advancing peace and regional security, supporting humanitarian efforts, and countering terrorism and violent extremism. The following day, building on the 2016 Joint Declaration on Enhanced Cooperation, they agreed a new, forward-looking agenda for the Australia-Jordan relationship, underpinned by shared interests in Middle East peace and stability and support for the international rules-based order. Marking 50 years of bilateral relations, the Prime Minister said that in a time of growing global uncertainty, “ongoing defence and security cooperation between Australia and Jordan is essential.”
The same day, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement expressing regret at the Palestinian President’s decision to postpone the Palestinian Legislative Council and Presidential elections to September 2027. While acknowledging the obstacles to holding credible elections, the ministers emphasised the importance of strengthening Palestinian governance to achieve lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
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