Feature stories
'Our Ambassadors' Series
30 July 2012
'Our Ambassadors' video series provides insight into the work of our representatives abroad, and some of the major issues they are confronting as they pursue Australian interests in the countries where they are working.
Image: Mr James Wise, Australia's Ambassador to Thailand
Trade in Services Australia 2011
26 July 2012
Australia's total trade in services rose 1.4 per cent to $109.1 billion in 2011, according to Trade in Services, Australia 2011, released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
» Publication: Trade in Services Australia 2011
» Media release: Australia trades $109 billion in services in 2011
Visit by Zimbabwe's Prime Minister
24 July 2012
Trade and Competitiveness Minister Craig Emerson met with Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Canberra. The two discussed ways of building the trade and investment relationship between the two countries.
Photo courtesy of AUSPIC
Health improvements in Ethiopia
14 July 2012
Richard Marles said Ethiopia had made real improvements in the health sector and was on track to meet its Millennium Development Goal targets for child health.
» Media release: Australia supporting health improvements in Ethiopia
» Photo gallery: Visit to Ethiopia, July 2012
Richard Marles at the African Union Summit
12 July 2012
"The AU Summit provides an opportunity for me to discuss these issues directly with African counterparts and to highlight Australia's increasing engagement with Africa." Mr Marles said
» Media release: Marles represents Australia at African Union Summit
» Photo gallery: Visit to Ethiopia, July 2012
Composition of Trade Australia 2011
11 July 2012
Australia's total goods and services exports surged in 2011 to $313.3 billion. This contributed to a trade surplus of $18.3 billion, according to new figures released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
» Publication: Composition of Trade 2011
» Media release: Australian exports surge to new record
NAIDOC Week 2012
11 July 2012
NAIDOC Week opened with a flag raising ceremony and a performance from the Zugubal Dance troupe. Former Olympic basketballer Danny Morseu attended the exhibition Black Gold: The Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame with his son Danny Foulkes, a DFAT employee.
» Media release: NAIDOC Week 2012
Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan
9 July 2012
Senator Carr attended the Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan. He announced announced Australia's road map for Afghanistan development assistance.
Australia will also take a lead in reducing domestic and community violence against women in Afghanistan.
Festival of Pacific Arts, Solomon Islands
1 to 14 July 2012
More than 20 Pacific countries and territories, and close to 2,000 participants, will attend the festival.
The Australian delegation led by the Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles, includes 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and members of the Queensland Theatre Company.
Media release: Marles affirms Australia's enduring commitment to Solomon Islands