End of Year Recap from Ambassador Justin Mohamed
I's been a busy year in the First Nations trade and investment space for Ambassador for First Nations People, Justin Mohamed.
In 2024, Ambassador Mohamed, together with the Office for First Nations International Engagement and DFAT more broadly, engaged extensively domestically and internationally, driving outcomes in First Nations trade and investment.
We increased representation of First Nations businesses on international trade missions, expanded support from Australian Government agencies to First Nations businesses, and supported a strengthened domestic policy framework allowing First Nations Australians to communicate directly with state and federal governments on trade and investment matters.
Key 2024 highlights for the Ambassador and the First Nations trade and investment agenda include:
- the largest ever delegation of First Nations businesses to unlock opportunities in the world's largest economy, the United States of America, led by the Ambassador in March 2024
- concluding negotiations on the long-awaited and historic Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge Treaty in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in May 2024, establishing an international framework to protect genetic resources and traditional knowledges, with Australia's delegation co-led by Ambassador Mohamed
- securing Australia's first dedicated chapter on First Nations trade in a bilateral free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates.
Upcoming Grant and Program Opportunities
ASEAN-Australia Centre's inaugural Grants Program
The ASEAN-Australia Centre has opened its inaugural Grants Program, worth $1.1 million. The Centre invites applications from Australian organisations across the business, education, cultural and community sectors to fund initiatives that strengthen Australia's connections with Southeast Asia.
We particularly welcome applications from First Nations organisations and initiatives with a focus on sharing Australian First Nations culture with the region.
Supporting recommendations from Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, applications are open across three priority areas – creative industry exchanges, cultural initiatives and research on Southeast Asia literacy.
Applications are due by 12:00PM (AEDST) on Friday 10 January 2025. For further information, visit GrantConnect.
Australia-Indonesia Institute Grant Round 2024-25
The Australia-Indonesia Institute 2024-25 Grant Round is now open!
The grant aims to strengthen the bilateral relationship in areas of mutual interest, strengthen networks, collaboration and connections between institutions and communities and to enhance the Australian reputation and reach in Indonesia.
Key priority areas of the 2024 grant program are: Education, Language and Indonesian Studies; Arts and Culture; Health and Science; Youth and Sport; Economic and Business Engagement; Media; Digital Innovation and Technology; and Religion.
Applications are due by 13:00 (AEDST) on Tuesday 14 January 2025. For further information, visit GrantConnect.
Critical Technologies Challenge Program – First Nations Health Technologies
The Australian Government is offering funding for industry-led consortia to improve life expectancy, health outcomes and access to health technology for First Nations peoples.
The #CriticalTechnologiesChallengeProgram is looking for solutions that:
- improve the ability to identify, treat and prevent health conditions that disproportionately impact First Nations peoples
- improve access to health technologies in rural and remote Australia
- align with the National Agreement and Closing the Gap target: everyone enjoys long and healthy lives.
You could receive up to $5.5 million to test and develop quantum solutions as part of a consortium application. Your expertise, experience and innovative ideas could shape what comes next for quantum in Australia!
Applications open at 10:00AM AEDST Wednesday, 15 January and at 5:00PM AEDST close Wednesday, 26 February 2025.
For further information, visit Critical Technologies Challenge Program Round 2.
Expression of Interest – Participation in Foodex Japan 2025
A business only tradeshow, Foodex Japan attracted over 76,000 visitors this year. The next show, in March 2025, will mark its 50th anniversary and be again held at Japan's largest international exhibition centre, Tokyo Big Sight. One thousand domestic and 2,000 international companies are expected to exhibit in the East and South Halls over 85,000sqm.
Austrade will exhibit as part of the Australian National Pavilion, together with the New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia State Governments. Austrade's booth will be combined with a lamb promotion space resulting in a total footprint of 126sqm. A separate and private business meeting lounge for the exclusive use of Austrade booth participants for business matching will again be arranged in 2025.
For further information, visit Foodex Japan 2025.
Upcoming briefing - DFA's Southeast Asia FTA Modernisation Agenda
The Government has committed funding to support the implementation of Recommendation 10 of Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040,to review the scope of existing FTAs with Southeast Asian trading partners to determine priorities for upgrade negotiations. DFAT is in the early stages of progressing work to identify priorities for the modernisation and enhancement of our FTAs in Southeast Asia. These efforts include a comprehensive review of FTAs with Southeast Asian partners, as well as a grants program to support trade exposed industry groups to undertake research and analysis on opportunities to liberalise and facilitate trade and investment in the region.
DFAT is holding a virtual information session for First Nations stakeholders in trade exposed industries on DFA's Southeast Asia FTA review and grants program on Thursday, 16 January 2025 from 10-10:45AM (AEDST).
If interested in attending, please RSVP to ftamodernisation@dfat.gov.au by COB Monday, 13 January 2025 to receive a calendar invitation and relevant log-in details.
Recent News
ASEAN-Australia Centre – National Museum of Australia First Nations Art Exhibition Partnership
The Australian Government today announced partnership on a $3.5 million First Nations Art Exhibition that will tour Southeast Asia from 2025.
Curated by West Arnhem Land's Maningrida community, the digital art experience will feature projections, animations and soundscapes, transporting audiences through Country, telling the story of Yawkyawk, mermaid-like beings from the local region.
A recommendation of Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, this collaboration delivers on the Governmen's commitment to support more Australian creative industry exports to Southeast Asia.
The exhibition will tour through Southeast Asian nations from 2025-2028, showcasing Australia's cutting-edge creative industry with an immersive digital experience of the richness of First Nations art. Commercial export opportunities for First Nations designers and creatives will feature in the touring exhibition.
Yindjibarndi people partner with ACEN to bring clean energy to Western Australia
The First Nations Yindjibarndi people have partnered with Filipino-listed renewables company ACEN to develop and operate clean energy projects in Western Australia's Pilbara region. The partnership is one of Australia's largest renewable energy initiatives led by First Nations peoples. It ensures the Yindjibarndi people will approve all proposed project sites on Yindjibarndi Ngurra (country).
The joint venture saw ACEN and the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation form the Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC). This secures equity shares for Traditional Owners of between 25% to 50% in all completed projects. The deal also establishes preferred contracting for Yindjibarndi-owned businesses, and training and employment opportunities for their peoples.
Watch the video: ACEN & Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation — Partnering on renewable energy with Traditional Owners
Austrade's Go Global Toolkit supports Kakadu Organics to find success in Singapore
Proud Murrumburr woman Kylie-Lee Bradford the owner and founder of Kakadu Organics has found success in Singapore exporting food, teas and wellness products made from native ingredients.
Kakadu Organics started thinking about exporting when it felt it had 'nailed' the Australian market, says Bradford. The company was particularly interested in Singapore and the UK. 'The first step we took towards exporting was to contact Austrade,' says Bradford. 'We wanted to understand the markets we were entering.'
Austrade's trade services comprise 'advice, connections and support,' says Kendall Draper, Austrade's Trade Commissioner in Osaka. 'For example, we could help you with your export strategies, make valuable connections, and provide hands-on practical support.'
'No-one's export journey is the same, and it takes time,' says Draper. 'If you're an Australian business tha's curious about export, what a wonderful journey you're about to embark on.'
Businesses interested in exporting can start by using Austrade's Go Global Toolkit.
Watch the video: Kakadu Organics — Austrade supports First Nations business to go global
Commencement of Australia-World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Bushfoods Pilot
Australia and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have commenced a Bushfoods Pilot (the Pilot) to help First Nations bushfoods exporters navigate and better engage with the international intellectual property (IP) system.
Congratulations to Fig Jam & Co, Kakadu Organics, Native Oz Bushfoods and Noongar Land Enterprise Group who were selected to participate in the Bushfoods Pilot. In co-design with WIPO appointed experts, Dr Miri Raven and Professor Daniel Robinson, these businesses will bring a vital First Nations perspective to the development of a culturally appropriate IP training and mentoring program. The Pilot will inform the development of IP management tools and resources to assist all First Nations bushfood stakeholders navigate the IP aspects of their bushfoods export journey.
Periodic updates on the progress of the Pilot will be provided, including through this Bulletin.