Australian Embassy in the Netherlands

On the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness, Ambassador French delivered 🇦🇺national statement at the 108th Session of the OPCW Executive Council. 🇦🇺remains strongly committed to the Chemical Weapons Convention and stands ready to assist the OPCW in its important mission of achieving a world free of chemical weapons. Read more about Australia’s commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention: https://lnkd.in/eA8HJAik

We are hiring! The Australian Embassy in the Netherlands is looking for a highly motivated and experienced individual to fill the position of a Temporary Public Diplomacy Officer for the duration of 6 months. This position manages the Embassy's Business Engagement and Public Diplomacy program through the design, planning and delivery of high quality and innovative public diplomacy activities and events. We are looking for a proactive and flexible team player with experience in media and communications and events management to strengthen our wonderful policy team. Lodgement of applications is due on 16 March 2025. For more information on the position, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eJqs3-8A

The Australian Embassy was honoured to host a panel discussion on combatting modern slavery in the global economy, including through international law.    In her pre-recorded opening remarks, Ms Lynn Bell, 🇦🇺Ambassador to Counter Modern Slavery, People Smuggling and Human Trafficking, underscored 🇦🇺commitment to the highest international labour and human rights standards in the global economy as well as to strengthening global efforts to combat all forms of modern slavery.    The panel of experts included Grace Forrest, 🇦🇺Founding Director Walk Free and Commissioner at the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, Conny Rijken, Dutch National Rapporteur on Human Trafficking and Sexual Violence against Children, Patricia Sellers, international criminal law expert and former Special Advisor at the ICC on Slavery Crimes, and Hope Rikkelman, Director of the The Nuhanovic Foundation.      
Australia and the Netherlands share a strong commitment to robust international frameworks for a world free from all forms of modern slavery.

Today marks three years since the start of Russia’s illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Australia continues to stand with Ukraine against Russian aggression, having committed over $1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself. Today Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong announced the Government’s largest sanctions package since February 2022, targeting 149 persons and entities, including those in North Korea responsible for supporting Russia’s aggression. The Minister also announced a ban on the export of commercial drones and components to Russia. Today and every day, Australia stands with Ukraine. Read the joint ministerial media release here: https://lnkd.in/gj8S96En

A “forever” chemical called PFAS in lithium-ion batteries is a major obstacle to recycling or disposing of these batteries safely, due to its long-lasting components.     Scientists at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have found a way to fix this problem and built an innovative model that guides recyclers through this process during metal recovery by using sufficiently high temperatures.     Australia and the Netherlands are working together on developing their circular economies, including through innovation and technology, to achieve our shared sustainable Net Zero 2050 ambitions. Read the CSIRO article 👇 https://lnkd.in/e_YX9Uga

Ambassador French had a fruitful visit to Groningen, where he met with Mr René Paas, King’s Commissioner of Groningen to discuss AUS & NL shared net zero climate ambitions in the transition to a sustainable economy.  AUS is a major investor in NL green energy companies, including in Groningen. Ambassador French was also honoured to meet with Professor Patrick V. Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation and Prof. Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende, to discuss the international climate adaptation landscape, followed by an insightful lecture by Professor Verkooijen at the University of Groningen.

Quantum researchers from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have demonstrated the potential for quantum computing to significantly improve how we solve complex problems involving large datasets, highlighting the potential of using quantum in areas such as real-time traffic management, agricultural monitoring, healthcare, and energy optimisation. Australia and the Netherlands are working together to help develop a global quantum ecosystem, including as part of the Multilateral Dialogue on Quantum. Read the CSIRO article: 👇 https://lnkd.in/gNyFNEiQ

The Australian Embassy, together with the International Gender Champions and Women in International Law Network, had the pleasure of hosting a networking breakfast for women working in international law in The Hague. In welcoming, Ambassador French underlined that gender equality is a core Australian value, and is central to our international engagement, whether with international organisations here in The Hague or through our foreign policy, as reflected in the Australia’s newly released International Gender Equality Strategy. Eminent Australian International Court of Justice (ICJ) Judge Hilary Charlesworth was the keynote speaker, reflecting on the need for States to redouble their efforts and commitment to gender equality, including in international law, where much remained to be done. Australia remains committed to Gender Equality and advancing the human rights of women and girls through our foreign policy for a safer, more prosperous Indo-Pacific and world. Read our new International Gender Equality Strategy here: https://lnkd.in/gv5Bmzgj #IWD2025 #AcceleratingAction #GenderEquality

📢 Join us for our 2nd annual Australia Business Day taking place on Thursday 6 March in Utrecht, the Netherlands - register here: https://lnkd.in/en2qXW4P The Netherlands is the 9th largest investor and the 5th largest source of direct investment in Australia. The #Netherlands is also Australia’s 2nd largest export market in the EU and a key entry point for Australian goods distributed across Europe. Find out more about emerging trade and investment opportunities in key #NetZero priority sectors, including offshore wind, critical minerals, hydrogen, circular economy, and agricultural supply chains during our workshop sessions. This event is organised in partnership with Rabobank and in collaboration with Investment NSW I Trade and Investment Queensland I SA Government I Invest Victoria I Invest and Trade Western Australia. Connect with our Trade & Investment Commissioner to the Netherlands, Nordics & Baltics Catherine Hill and Investment Director Rolf Karst to learn more.

Ambassador French enjoyed the opportunity to watch the Oscar-nominated Memoir of a Snail, an animated film by Australian director, Adam Elliot at the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam.