The inaugural meeting of the pilot First Nations Trade and Investment Advisory Group (pilot Advisory Group) took place on the lands of the Ngunnawal people at RG Casey Building in Canberra on 12 February 2025.
The meeting affirmed the pilot Advisory Group's aim as facilitating a partnership between First Nations Australians and the Australian Government, with a view to amplifying and embedding First Nations perspectives across Australia's international trade and investment policies. It would address such issues as: trade negotiations; trade advocacy and promotion; pathways to grow First Nations export capabilities; and ensuring the benefits of Australia's trade and investment efforts are shared across First Nations business and communities.
Chaired by the Ambassador for First Nations People, Mr Justin Mohamed, the meeting introduced pilot Advisory Group members to a range of contemporary trade and investment topics. It featured an overview of Australia's trade and investment agenda – and its importance to First Nations communities – by Deputy Secretary, Trade and Investment Group, Mr George Mina.
Members exchanged views with senior officials on trade and investment issues of particular relevance to First Nations businesses, covering:
- Free Trade Agreements, including the First Nations chapter within the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
- Implementation of Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy.
- Osaka World Expo 2025 – including Te Aratini Indigenous Peoples Week in August.
- Support for First Nations economic interests from regional and multilateral arrangements, such as the WTO, APEC, IPETCA, WIPO – including the Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge.
- First Nations economic opportunities in key markets such as the United States, India, United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand.
- Services provided by Austrade – including initiatives such as the Go Global Toolkit, Export Market Development Grants and the Australian Export Awards.
The pilot Advisory Group emphasised its interest in working with government to secure practical trade and investment outcomes for First Nations Australians.
It is intended that the pilot Advisory Group meet four times annually.