Julie Bishop Visiting the United States

The Minister for Foreign Affairs will visit New York from 4 to 8 March to sign the maritime boundary treaty with the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste at United Nations Headquarters, represent Australia at a meeting of the Kimberley Process, meet US leaders in government and business and mark International Women’s Day.

On 6 March, she will join leaders from Timor-Leste to sign the historic Treaty between Australia and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Establishing Their Maritime Boundaries in the Timor Sea.

The signing of the treaty will be witnessed by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and the Chair of the Conciliation Commission, Peter Taksøe-Jensen.

Australia’s final role as Chair of the Kimberley Process will be to guide the adoption of a UN General Assembly Resolution on the role of diamonds in fueling conflict.

Australia remains a Champion of reform of the Process in 2017 to ensure it best addresses conflict diamonds and contemporary challenges to the diamond trade.

During the visit, she will meet US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley to discuss Australia-US cooperation in the UN and more broadly.

She will also meet business leaders to promote their economic opportunities.

In an address to the Asia Society Policy Institute, The Minister will promote Australia’s Foreign Policy White Paper, focusing on Australia’s relationships in Southeast Asia.