We, the Foreign Minister of Australia, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, and the Federal Foreign Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, Dr Johann Wadephul met in Canberra to reaffirm the closeness of our bilateral relationship, underpinned by shared values, interests and commitment to the rule of law.
Looking towards celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2027, we discussed common security challenges amid a rapidly changing geo-strategic environment and committed to work together to support security, freedom and prosperity, between Europe and the Indo-Pacific in keeping with the Charter of the United Nations.
Strengthened partnership for a sustainable future
We acknowledge significant achievements in advancing our Enhanced Strategic Partnership (ESP), and its renewed work plan 2025-27. We have deepened our security cooperation on defence, hybrid and cyber threats. Our commitment to renewable energy and critical minerals partnerships remains firm. Our practical action in support of the international trading system, through the joint H2Global window to support the development of hydrogen supply chains, and work to build green iron and steel value chains, is increasing opportunities for investment in offtake arrangements and helping establish trade corridors for renewable hydrogen products between Australia and Europe.
We discussed the importance of working to build peace and social cohesion and reaffirm our commitment to collaborate in international fora to combat antisemitism and all forms of hatred and discrimination.
We reaffirm our commitment to reinforce the rules of the international system that protect peace and economic prosperity and that support sustainable development, civil society, gender equality, governance and human rights. We stress our firm commitment to the multilateral, rules-based trading system with the WTO at its core and our support for negotiations of a free trade agreement between Australia and the European Union, to strengthen our economic relations.
We appreciate the deep commitment to the return of ancestors and significant cultural heritage material to First Nations custodians and welcome on-going close cooperation with German institutions.
We reaffirm the ongoing importance of defence and security cooperation to the Australia-Germany relationship. Building resilience and bolstering economic security are important to this endeavour. We have agreed to deepen our cooperation on economic security through a new Australia-Germany senior officials-level exchange and 1.5 track dialogue.
A combined commitment to peace and territorial integrity
Australia and Germany unequivocally condemn Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. We demand Russia’s complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine in respect of its internationally recognised borders. We have provided substantial support to Ukraine – Germany, the largest European contributor, and Australia, the largest non-NATO contributor of military assistance. We agree that continued support is crucial for Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself against Russia’s military aggression.
We condemn Russia’s targeted attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the coldest winter in 10 years. Russia’s war is causing immense human suffering, perpetuating sexual and gender-based violence, disrupting supply chains, heightening energy and food insecurity, constraining growth, increasing inflation and elevating financial stability risks.
We call on support from the international community to increase the pressure on Russia to end the war, including for third countries to cease the direct and indirect support to Russia’s military, and for those with influence on Russia to play a positive role in achieving a just and lasting peace based on international law, including the principles of the United Nations Charter.
We share a long history of contributing to peace in the Middle East and remain committed to working with the international community towards a two-state solution as the only viable pathway to a just and enduring peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike. We must make every effort to ensure all sides fulfil their commitments under the US Peace Plan to end the suffering of the people of Gaza, including the full-fledged disarmament of Hamas.
We condemn the brutal crackdown perpetrated by the Iranian regime against its own population during the protests and follow closely and with great concern the shocking reports on the number of casualties and arbitrary detentions. We urge Iranian authorities to adhere to Iran’s international obligations and fully uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. We also call for ensuring the right to seek, receive and impart information, including by restoring access to the internet for all.
We underscore the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and reaffirm our shared opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo. We call for the peaceful management of cross-Strait issues through dialogue, without coercion or the use of force. We support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations as a member where statehood is not a prerequisite, and as an observer or guest where it is.
We are concerned by the increased tensions in the South China Sea and unsafe behaviour at sea and in the air. We reiterate that disputes should be settled peacefully in accordance with international law and reaffirm the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award as final and binding on the parties.
We are also concerned over Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and attempts to undermine security and democratic institutions and processes. The impacts of disinformation, interference, transnational repression, cyberattacks and the malicious use of AI on societies like Australia and Germany are deeply concerning. We are committed to working closely to build collective responses, including in multilateral fora, to promote resilient, healthy, open and fact-based environments and to countering foreign interference and misinformation. Countering mis- and disinformation will help build social cohesion and security at home and abroad.
Strengthened multilateral cooperation and international development
Australia and Germany have worked hard to build peace and prosperity. Today, hard-won freedom is once again under pressure – challenged by military aggression, disinformation, and attempts to redraw spheres of influence. We must work even harder, together and with others, to build our collective resilience, to create space for innovation and economic opportunity and to protect the parts of the multilateral system that matter most.
We note the current significant challenges to the multilateral system and rules-based order and reaffirm the paramount importance of international law with the United Nations at its core. We underscore our support for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations to make it more efficient and effective, while maintaining a balance across all UN pillars: peace and security, human rights and sustainable development.
We recognise the global development architecture must reform to suit the evolving context. We will continue to promote development cooperation in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and accelerate its implementation for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. We will work to protect the multilateral system’s ability to advance sustainable development and cooperate to support reforms to ensure the global development system is fit for our times.
We recognise the extreme pressure on the international system in responding to humanitarian crises. We remain focused on delivering on the commitments we made, together with more than 100 other countries, through the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel and to upholding respect for international humanitarian law, also through our engagement within the International Committee of the Red Cross Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to International Humanitarian Law.
Building climate and energy resilience in the Pacific and South-East Asia
Australia strongly welcomes Germany’s decade long engagement as a dialogue partner of the Pacific Islands Forum, support for Pacific priorities and expanding involvement in the Pacific.
With our energy and climate partnership a central pillar of the Germany-Australia bilateral relationship, we underscored the importance of multilateral and international cooperation to accelerate global climate action to meet the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement. Germany welcomed Australia and the Pacific agreeing with Türkiye to deliver COP31 in partnership. Recognising the existential threat posed by climate change to small island developing states, and Australia and Germany’s foundational contributions to the Pacific-led and owned Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF), we will work together to build momentum on climate finance in support of the PRF and further multilateral climate funds. We welcome the significant reform to multilateral climate funds, including the Green Climate Fund, and Global Environment Facility, to increase access to climate finance and better meet the needs of small island developing states, including Pacific island countries.
Noting the importance of supporting Southeast Asia’s energy transition to meet the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement, we will increase coordination to bolster energy security in Southeast Asia, reduce costs, and accelerate the region’s shift to cleaner energy sources. We welcome the Partnership for ASEAN Connectivity on Energy (PACE), a new platform to strengthen collaboration between international financial institutions and donors, which will better harmonise support for the region’s cross-border power trade and allow us to more effectively leverage our respective clean energy expertise in support of the region.
