Indigenous Peoples
First Nations approach to foreign policy
A First Nations approach to foreign policy is about better reflecting Australia’s shared and full identity, our modern diversity and the rich heritage of First Nations People. Australia’s First Peoples have a crucial role to play in projecting Australia’s identity to the world.
In September 2022 the Foreign Minister, the Minister for Indigenous Australians and former Senator Pat Dodson called for expressions of interest for an Ambassador for First Nations People to lead the government's efforts in embedding Indigenous perspectives, experiences and interests across the department.
On 7 March 2023, the Foreign Minister, the Minister for Indigenous Australians and Senator Dodson announced Mr Justin Mohamed as Australia's inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People. The Ambassador's role builds on the Indigenous Diplomacy Agenda through working in genuine partnership with First Nations communities, leaders and advocates on how Australia's international engagement across foreign, trade, development and corporate policy can better support First Nations Peoples.
The Ambassador leads the Office for First Nations International Engagement within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Since establishment, the Office for First Nations International Engagement has undertaken over 100 consultations with First Nations leaders, communities and organisations across all Australian State and Territories, secured new trade and investment opportunities, and strengthened First Nations rights globally.
DFAT works in partnership with other government agencies and departments, especially working closely with the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).
Indigenous Diplomacy Agenda
In 2021, DFAT launched the Indigenous Diplomacy Agenda to elevate Indigenous issues in our foreign policy.
The Indigenous Diplomacy Agenda reflects the Australian Government's commitment to work in partnership with Indigenous Australians and reflects a vision for a world where the rights and traditions of Indigenous People are respected, where open markets facilitate the free flow of trade, capital and ideas for Indigenous businesses, and where Indigenous Peoples are participants and beneficiaries of the international system.
The Indigenous Diplomacy Agenda has four objectives:
- Shape international norms and standards to benefit Indigenous Peoples
- Maximise opportunities for Indigenous Peoples in a globalised world
- Promote sustainable development for all Indigenous Peoples
- Deploy Indigenous Australian diplomats to advance Australia's national interests
The Indigenous Diplomacy Agenda replaced the expired DFAT Indigenous Peoples Strategy 2015-2019
Read the Speech by Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs: The Contribution of Indigenous Australia to our Diplomacy
Australia's International Development Policy
Australia’s International Development Policy (August 2023), commits to being more effective and responsive to the priorities of our region by anchoring our approach in our strengths, including by embedding the perspectives of First Nations Australians in our development efforts.
First Nations Australians have shared culture and kinship connections in our region for tens of thousands of years and were Australia’s first traders and diplomats, exchanging goods and ideas with our closest neighbours.
Elevating the perspectives of First Nations Australians to the heart of our development program will take time and involve new ways of working, but better connecting our domestic and international experiences will create opportunities for mutual learning and benefit us all.
Australia's First Nations International Engagement
Australia has consistently demonstrated commitment and active engagement on Indigenous issues on the international stage.
Australia continues to work with the Human Rights Council to address human rights violations, including those affecting Indigenous Peoples, and to work closely with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to advance the rights and concerns of Indigenous Peoples, including Indigenous Australians.
Australia engages with and contributes to questionnaires from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This work is a collaborative effort to bring about improvements, to increase understanding and the sharing of experience and knowledge, and ultimately setting global norms by which to solve complex problems.
Australia continues to work toward achieving the ends of The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Australia has consistently contributed to the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations which supports Indigenous representatives to attend United Nations mechanisms and processes of most relevance to Indigenous interests.
Australia actively participates in United Nations mechanisms including the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous peoples (EMRIP) as the preeminent global fora for Indigenous interests.
Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement - a regional initiative
Australia is a founding participant of the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA), a non-binding cooperation based arrangement to strengthen the economic empowerment of Indigenous Peoples in our region and beyond.
Our region is home to more than 270 million Indigenous Peoples who have a long and rich history of participating in trade and commerce. Indigenous Peoples play an integral role in the societies and economies of our region. This Arrangement will focus on further unlocking their economic potential and increasing trade and investment opportunities. IPETCA acknowledges the importance of enhancing the ability of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous businesses to benefit from the opportunities created by international trade and investment. IPETCA reaffirms a number of important existing Indigenous-specific international instruments, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and recognises the contribution of Indigenous traditional knowledge to innovation, sustainable development, and ecologically sound management of the environment.
IPETCA will help to expand business networks for Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs across the region, including for Micro- Small- and Medium-sized enterprises, Indigenous women and Indigenous youth. Prospective areas of cooperation under the Arrangement include enhancing digital skills and e-commerce opportunities; export counselling; promoting access to finance; supporting Indigenous public procurement mechanisms; and valuing and protecting Indigenous Knowledge.
The IPECTA Partnership Council was established in 2023 as a joint decision-making body to enable both government and Indigenous representatives to implement and oversee the Arrangement. The IPETCA Partnership Council meets quarterly and is responsible for determining, organising, and facilitating activities under IPETCA.
IPETCA is supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.