Over the past 80 years, Australia and Chile have developed a close and multifaceted relationship, bound by the Pacific, enriched by Australia's vibrant Chilean diaspora, underpinned by trade and our complementary strengths as mining economies, and characterized by our shared values and beliefs.
Whether through the 19th-century trade in wheat from Chile that supplied a growing Australian nation, or contemporary investments by our mining companies, commercial ties have provided the backbone of our relationship.
Our high-quality Free Trade Agreement and common membership in the CPTPP have strengthened and diversified our trade, facilitating greater two-way investment and enabling our world-class mining sectors to collaborate in producing the critical minerals vital to the global energy transition.
Australia and Chile form a bridge connecting the Pacific with Latin America, whether through direct flights, strategic business hubs, or the new Humboldt undersea cable connection, which will enable us to harness the digital economy.
Chile and Australia are committed to a peaceful, stable, and prosperou s Pacific region, working closely together to achieve greater regional economic integration through our active membership of APEC, and to bolster defence and security through the South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting.
Across the multilateral system, we are strong, like-minded partners who work hand in hand to respond to the global challenges of our time. Whether in the United Nations, World Trade Organization, Cairns Group, Antarctic Treaty System, or many other international bodies, we work to uphold human rights, respond to climate change, achieve gender equality, protection of the oceans, support free and fair international trade, and reinforce an open, stable, and rules-based international system.
Both countries support further reform of the United Nations, including the Security Council, to achieve our shared objective of safeguarding sovereignty by promoting international peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights.
The most enduring links between Australia and Chile are those between our peoples. Australia is home to a large and valued Chilean diaspora, and every year, Australians and Chileans cross the Pacific as students, businesspeople, tourists, or working holidaymakers, strengthening our connections.
As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are confident it is through these foundations of shared values, common interests, friendships, and human connections that Australia and Chile will continue to grow and prosper together.
