It's a pleasure to join you for my first Africa Day celebrations as Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
I was honoured to be asked by the Prime Minister to serve in this role as well as Assistant Minister for Immigration in the Albanese Labor Government.
I will continue working hard for Australia's interests both here at home and abroad.
I'd like to start by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the Canberra region – first settled by First Nations people at least 25,000 years ago - the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples.
I also wish to thank and acknowledge:
- His Excellency Mr. Joe Tapera Mhishi – Ambassador of Zimbabwe and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps
- The Embassy of Zimbabwe for putting on the event
- Other African Ambassadors and Head of Missions in attendance.
Australia is proud to share warm relationships with the countries of Africa.
As our population has changed, so have our views become more nuanced and our links with Africa more pronounced.
Almost half a million Australians declared themselves in the last Census to be of African heritage.
And I'm delighted to now be serving the Australian people in a role where I will be highlighting the importance of Africa to Australian interests.
And I'll be working hard to advance Australia-Africa relations.
This is because Africa is important - to the world, to Australia, and to our shared futures.
And today we commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963 -- the organisation that evolved, in 2002, into today's African Union.
62 years on, it's hard to understate the importance of the then 32 Heads of independent African states coming together to make a commitment for a brighter future for the continent.
Today, we have a regional body with which we engage, as it coordinates, balances and advocates for the continent's common interests.
I'd like to acknowledge the theme for today's celebrations, which goes to seeking to address the injustices of the past.
The African Union remains vital for the peoples of Africa and the protection and promotion of its interests, as it continues to rise in prominence on the global stage.
The African Union joining the G20 recognises the organisation's importance as well as that of the continent more broadly.
We look forward to more interactions with African representatives at the G20 this year – a historic occasion as it is hosted on the continent for the first time in South Africa.
We congratulate South Africa for a very successful G20 Presidency to date, including its hosting the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in February, which Foreign Minister Wong attended.
With significant global uncertainty, the role of African nations is crucial to protecting the common values our two continents share.
We continue to develop our trade and investment ties.
Australian businesses in retail, education, travel services, renewable energy, and mining help provide skills and generate long-term benefits for local communities across Africa.
Our mining companies have invested around $60 billion across Africa.
Beyond trade and investment, we are committed to working together to tackle the complex challenges we face as an international community.
This includes climate change and the pursuit of regional security.
We are committed to helping build a future where communities are fed, economies are stronger and the environment is protected.
It's about securing a better, more resilient future for all in Africa.
This matters now, more than ever -- particularly at a time when the devastating conflict in Sudan continues, and the ongoing insecurity in the Sahel impacts many of your countries.
We continue to advocate for African and locally-led solutions to conflicts and crises, in accordance with the principles of international law.
We are pleased to see recent progress toward a lasting solution to tensions in the Great Lakes region, with mediation and African-led processes demonstrating the importance of political dialogue.
The impact of climate change threatens to exacerbate existing challenges, including lasting peace and security.
We are pleased to be expanding Australia's support for climate resilience and food security through our $76.4 million Australia-Africa Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture, which Foreign Minister Wong announced late last year.
This initiative helps to address food insecurity in regions most exposed to climate change's devastating impacts.
By sharing expertise and resources with African nations, we are helping to build resilient communities that can withstand the interconnected challenges of food security and climate change.
It's another example of the Albanese Labor Government's commitment to helping our partners across the world in the fight against climate change.
We very much look forward to working with you and your countries over the coming years.
Thank you.