DFAT, together with Austrade, the Office for Sport, Tourism Australia and the Australian Sports Commission, have developed the Australian Sports Diplomacy Strategy 2015-18 to inform, engage and influence through sport, in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

The Australian Sports Diplomacy Strategy 2015-18 was launched on 25 June 2015 at Parliament House.

Australian Sports Diplomacy Strategy 2015-18

Australia's strategy will support reciprocal, people-to-people connections that promote partnerships of value between Australia and the region, through sport.

The strategy's four goals are:

• connecting people and institutions
• enhancing sport for development
• showcasing Australia
• supporting innovation and integrity.

Sports diplomacy provides a practical way to inform, engage and influence key groups, particularly youth, emerging leaders and women and girls. Through the use of Australian diaspora in the region and Indo-Pacific communities living in Australia, the influence of sports diplomacy can extend to broader audiences than traditional diplomacy activities allow.

The Department is undertaking a number of initiatives to promote sports diplomacy both in Australia and overseas, including delivering a whole-of-government sports diplomacy strategy, sports for development and international media visits.