On 4 May 2021, Australia opened a diplomatic mission in French Polynesia, highlighting the growing importance of our bilateral relationship with this autonomous French territory that covers more than 5.3 million square kilometres.

Regional partner

French Polynesia became a full member of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2016. Australia strongly supports the territory's regional integration and participation in regional and global fora. Australia is working closely with French Polynesia, and other members of the Pacific Islands Forum, to ensure the ongoing movement of essential goods and people across the region as part of the Pacific Humanitarian Pathway and to promote the economic recovery of the region from COVID-19.

In 2018, Australia and French Polynesia co-chaired the second Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness workshop in Brisbane, highlighting the importance of maritime domain awareness in combatting threats to our region.

People-to-people links

French Polynesia welcomed its first group of New Colombo Plan students in 2019, opening the way for greater understanding of the French Pacific and shared experience between youth from both countries.

More about French Polynesia.