SENATOR THE HON PENNY WONG
LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SENATE
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

This week I will travel to Bangladesh and Singapore to advance Australia's interests in a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean region.

As Australia enhances our engagement with the Indian Ocean region, I am pleased to undertake my first visit to Bangladesh.

Australia is working with Bangladesh to deepen our cooperation, including on trade and investment, and to find practical solutions to shared challenges such as climate change, regional maritime security and people smuggling.

In Dhaka, I look forward to discussing these issues with Prime Minister the Honourable Sheikh Hasina MP, Foreign Minister the Honourable Dr Hasan Mahmud MP and other members of the Bangladeshi Government.

Australia and Bangladesh have significant people-to-people links, with over 50,000 people in Australia born in Bangladesh.

I will also travel to Cox's Bazar, where I will see how Australia's humanitarian assistance is delivering practical support to displaced Rohingya and Bangladeshi host communities.

Australia's humanitarian assistance is part of a global effort to address the causes of displacement, find durable solutions, and ultimately allow Rohingya to realise their goal of returning to their homeland.

My visit to Singapore, my second as Foreign Minister, is an opportunity to discuss trade and investment, green economy opportunities, defence and security, and our close cooperation on shared regional challenges.

I look forward to meetings with Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

Singapore is one of Australia’s closest friends and partners, and our relationship is based on mutual trust, respect, and shared strategic perspectives.

Media Contact:
Foreign Minister's Office: +61 2 6277 7500

Authorised by Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia.