Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) 2022

The United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and Minister for Women and Equalities the Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP and Secretary of State for Defence Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP will visit Australia for Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) on 21 January.

Discussions will focus on strategic challenges and identify areas in which Australia and the United Kingdom can work to support an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific region where the sovereignty of all nations is respected.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said the strong partnership between Australia and the United Kingdom was modern and dynamic, built on shared values.

“Australia and the United Kingdom share an interest in maintaining the international rules-based order underpinning stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and globally.

“The international environment is becoming more complex and challenging. AUKMIN 2022 will consider ways to strengthen our partnership in order to meet new and emerging threats and seize the many opportunities that this era presents,” Minister Payne said.

Minister for Defence, the Hon Peter Dutton MP said Australia and the United Kingdom have an excellent defence relationship, underpinned by close personal links between defence forces.

“Australia and the United Kingdom share a common commitment to upholding the rules-based global order and I look forward to discussing how we can work together in support of a safe and secure Indo-Pacific region,” Minister Dutton said.

AUKMIN 2022 will consider ways to strengthen collaboration in defence capability, cyber security, critical technology, deterrence and sustainable investment in infrastructure.

AUKMIN 2022 will also provide an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to protecting the core principles of the multilateral system, including the promotion and protection of human rights. Gender equality will also be a focus.

AUKMIN will be the first 2+2 Ministerial Meeting hosted in Australia since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. All aspects of this visit will be conducted in strict adherence to NSW Government COVID-19 health guidelines and protocols.