This week in Australian foreign affairs: Australia advanced economic and maritime security cooperation through the Quad, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Australia and the United Kingdom committed to addressing online violence against parliamentarians, new sanctions were imposed on Sudanese military leaders, and more.
On 31 October, Foreign Minister Penny Wong joined her counterparts from the United States, India and Japan for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with discussions focusing on economic security, critical minerals, maritime security and emerging technologies. The Quad welcomed progress in diversifying critical mineral supply chains, including through recycling initiatives, and outlined plans to provide more than US$85 million in technical and financial assistance to expand access to trusted artificial intelligence across the Indo-Pacific. Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea and announced plans for the first Quad Business Leaders’ Forum.
Over the past week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda. On 3 November, Albanese addressed the opening of the CHOGM Joint Forums, highlighting the importance of international cooperation on trade, climate change, artificial intelligence and democratic resilience. He emphasised the need to support smaller states, particularly in the Pacific and Caribbean, in responding to economic and climate challenges. Albanese also reaffirmed Australia’s campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2029–30.
During CHOGM, Albanese held bilateral discussions with United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Discussions with Burnham included progress on AUKUS, particularly the development of nuclear-powered submarines in Australia and the United Kingdom. Albanese also discussed critical minerals, defence cooperation and trade diversification with Carney, including ongoing negotiations towards an Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement.
Also on 3 November, Albanese attended the Commonwealth Nature Initiative side event, which brought together governments, businesses and philanthropic organisations to encourage investment in biodiversity conservation. The initiative supports the international goal of protecting 30 per cent of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. Albanese highlighted Australia’s Sustainable Ocean Plan, its ratification of the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty and ongoing cooperation with Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Timor-Leste to address marine debris. He also reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting Pacific island countries facing the impacts of climate change.
On 4 November, Australia and the United Kingdom released a joint statement committing to stronger cooperation in addressing online violence and threats against parliamentarians across the Commonwealth. The statement highlighted the disproportionate impact of online harassment and gender-based threats on women in politics and the risks these pose to democratic participation. Both governments committed to working with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians to develop practical solutions, including through technology and expertise sharing. The first Commonwealth forum addressing these challenges will be held in 2027.
The following day, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced new targeted human rights sanctions and travel bans against four Sudanese individuals, alongside financial sanctions on one entity, in response to serious human rights violations during Sudan’s ongoing civil war. Those sanctioned include Sudanese Armed Forces leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Rapid Support Forces commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Since the conflict began in April 2023, more than 14 million people have been displaced, while almost 34 million require humanitarian assistance. Australia has provided over $67 million in humanitarian assistance and called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the protection of civilians and unrestricted humanitarian access.
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