UAE and Australia Convene 10th Consular Committee Session in Canberra
Canberra, The Gulf Observer: The United Arab Emirates and the Commonwealth of Australia held the 10th session of their Consular Committee in Canberra, underscoring the strength of their bilateral ties and a shared commitment to enhancing cooperation in consular affairs.
The meeting coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations and follows a series of high-level engagements, including the visit of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, to Australia in November 2024, and the official visit of Australia’s Governor-General to the UAE.
The UAE delegation was led by Faisal Eissa Lutfi, Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Australian side was headed by Ciara Spencer, First Assistant Secretary of the Security Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
At the opening of the session, Lutfi conveyed the greetings of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and expressed his best wishes for the success of the meeting, emphasizing the UAE’s deep appreciation for the enduring and fruitful relationship between the two countries.
The discussions centered on a range of shared priorities, including the exchange of expertise in consular services and the review of joint consular matters. Both sides outlined strategies to enhance cooperation and committed to following up on agreed initiatives.
Participants reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening consular collaboration, improving the efficiency of services provided to citizens, and continuing to build upon the strategic partnership between the UAE and Australia.
The meeting saw participation from senior representatives of key UAE institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Their Australian counterparts from relevant authorities also took part in the session.
The 10th session of the UAE-Australia Consular Committee stands as a testament to the robust bilateral relationship and mutual aspiration to provide responsive and effective services to their citizens, further solidifying ties as both nations celebrate five decades of diplomatic engagement.
