Australia has hosted the Australia Group plenary meeting in Sydney to commemorate forty years working together to prevent the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons.
Established under the Hawke Government in 1985, the Australia Group is a part of Labor’s proud legacy in promoting the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Australia convened the first meeting of the group following Iraq’s use of chemical weapons in the Iran-Iraq War, and we continue to serve as permanent chair and secretariat.
The Australia Group has expanded from 15 countries in 1985 to 42 countries and the European Union today. For 40 years, its work has been at the forefront of global efforts to counter the development and use of chemical and biological warfare by harmonising export controls and enhancing cooperation.
Through Australia’s leadership of the group, we have played a pivotal role in preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
At a time of rising global tensions and increasingly complex challenges, the Australia Group remains responsive to dynamic international events and technological developments to ensure it remains ahead of emerging proliferation threats.
The Australia Group’s publicly available common control lists and guidelines set the global benchmark for chemical and biological precursor export controls.
The Australia Group has released a joint statement to commemorate the 40-year anniversary. More information about the Australia Group is available on its website.