Follow Al Rai
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Commonwealth of Australia issued, this Wednesday, a joint statement at the conclusion of the talks between His Majesty King Abdullah II and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, which were held in Canberra. The text is as follows:
"Joint Statement between Australia and Jordan on Strengthening Cooperation
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and His Majesty King Abdullah II met in Canberra on October 14, 2026, and affirmed the enduring friendship between Australia and Jordan, based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to peace, security, and prosperity.
His Majesty the King and the Prime Minister welcomed the opportunity to set an agenda for strengthening cooperation between the two countries, based on the 2016 Joint Declaration on Strengthening Cooperation, and reflecting the expansion of the scope of bilateral relations.
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
1- The two sides affirmed the strength of the ongoing defense partnership between Australia and Jordan, based on decades of cooperation and built upon the Australian-Jordanian Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation. The two sides welcomed the continued consolidation of defense relations and expressed their commitment to maintaining regular communication through strategic dialogue, education and training, military exchange, and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
2- The two sides affirmed the importance of practical defense cooperation in enhancing mutual understanding, raising operational readiness, and supporting the professional development of their armed forces. The two sides welcomed continued cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including science and technology, accelerating capability development, cooperation in defense industries, joint operations, peacekeeping, and countering transnational terrorism. They acknowledged the importance of defense cooperation in supporting regional stability, including through operational cooperation when necessary.
3- The two sides condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all their forms and manifestations. Australia and Jordan share a long history of cooperation in border management, led by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and the relevant Jordanian authorities. Building on established relationships in the fields of counter-terrorism and law enforcement, the two sides agreed to enhance information sharing and operational coordination between the relevant agencies to prevent and thwart terrorist activities, their financing, and the recruitment of members.
4- The two sides acknowledged the contribution that strengthening trade and investment ties can make to supporting job opportunities, prosperity, and economic resilience in both countries. The two sides expressed a commitment to working with the private sector in both countries to encourage the establishment of closer business-to-business ties and identify mutual opportunities, including in resource utilization. The two sides welcomed the opportunities available through deepening partnerships in education, research, and institutional partnerships, which contribute to building the skills needed for the future and supporting innovation and inclusive economic growth.
5- The two sides affirmed the importance of international cooperation to address climate change and enhance resilience to its impacts. They agreed to explore ways to deepen cooperation in the areas of water security, drought preparedness, data-driven resource management, and coral reef management. They encouraged cooperation in the fields of sustainable agriculture and food security, including technologies and practices suitable for arid and water-scarce environments.
6- The two sides acknowledged the importance of mental health and psychological well-being in supporting resilient communities. They welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of mental health, which will enhance information sharing and cooperation in the field of trauma-informed mental health and psychosocial support.
7- The two sides welcomed opportunities to expand cultural, professional, and youth exchanges, and to deepen ties between communities and institutions. They acknowledged the valuable contribution that the Jordanian-Australian community makes to Australia's multicultural society and to the friendship between the two countries.
At the Regional and International Levels
8- His Majesty King Abdullah II and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese discussed the situation in the Middle East. They expressed their concern regarding the continued tensions in the region and stressed the need for all actors to work collectively toward de-escalation, affirming that diplomacy and dialogue are the path to achieving this goal.
9- Australia condemned in the strongest terms the Iranian attacks that targeted Jordan and expressed its solidarity with the Kingdom. Both countries reaffirmed their support for all efforts aimed at reaching a diplomatic solution that would end the crisis, address its causes, and achieve sustainable security and stability.
10- The two sides affirmed the importance of freedom of maritime and air navigation, and their firm support for unimpeded trade in the region and other lawful uses of the sea consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
11- Australia acknowledged Jordan's efforts to achieve peace, security, and stability in the region. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the two-state solution in accordance with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, as the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace. The two sides stressed their rejection of any attempts to annex the West Bank or displace the Palestinian people, and affirmed their condemnation of the illegal "E1" settlement project, asserting that it constitutes a violation of international law.
12- The two sides affirmed the necessity of preserving the historical and legal status quo in the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. Australia stressed the importance of the historical Hashemite Custodianship of these holy sites.
13- The two sides affirmed the importance of the full implementation of the peace plan in Gaza, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025), the protection of civilians in accordance with international law, and the full, safe, rapid, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.
14- The two sides stressed the importance of supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and enabling it to provide its services in accordance with its UN mandate.
15- Australia affirmed its firm commitment to supporting the humanitarian and refugee-related efforts exerted by Jordan, including those related to the situations in Syria and Gaza. This included establishing partnerships with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, and other relevant Jordanian institutions.
16- The two sides acknowledged the ongoing efforts exerted by Jordan as a host country for refugees and a regional hub for humanitarian aid, and the significant pressures this imposes on public services, infrastructure, and host communities. The two sides called for a commitment to providing continued international support for refugees and the countries and communities hosting them, and reaffirmed the importance of finding durable solutions consistent with international law.
17- The two sides affirmed their countries' support for the unity, security, stability, and sovereignty of Syria, and for the efforts of the Syrian government aimed at rebuilding the country on foundations that meet the aspirations of the Syrian people and respect the rights of all its components.
18- The two sides affirmed Australia's and Jordan's support for Lebanon's efforts to ensure its security, strengthen its sovereignty over its entire territory, ensure that arms are restricted to the state, as well as the necessity for all parties to adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
19- The two sides condemned the Houthi militia's attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially those targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. They affirmed their full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and their support for the legitimate government in Yemen and for efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive and sustainable political settlement that preserves Yemen's unity, sovereignty, and stability.
20- The two sides affirmed their support for an international order that respects laws and is based on international law, including the UN Charter. They stressed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and strengthening international cooperation to address common security challenges, and working toward establishing a just and lasting peace, consolidating security and stability in the Middle East, and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
21- Australia welcomed the efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah II in strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism, including the "Aqaba Process" initiative. His Majesty King Abdullah II welcomed Australia's interest in organizing a new round of the "Aqaba Process" initiative in 2027, focusing on countering online extremism and the misuse of emerging technologies.
22- The two sides affirmed their firm commitment to upholding international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles. They welcomed the leading role played by both Jordan and Australia in promoting respect for international humanitarian law, including through the Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel and the Global Initiative to Strengthen Political Commitment to International Humanitarian Law. Australia welcomed Jordan's leadership role in supporting this global initiative through its hosting of the High-Level International Conference on Preserving Humanity in War on December 7, 2026."
Know more about this story?Send us a tip
Ask about this report — answers stay grounded in its text.
