Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Rob Jetten have signed a new Australia–Netherlands Strategic Partnership in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week, setting out closer cooperation on trade, energy, critical minerals, technology and security.

The agreement establishes annual economic security and security talks between the two countries, regular meetings between ministers and Prime Ministers, and a bilateral workplan to develop specific areas of cooperation.

Trade, critical minerals and energy

The Netherlands is already one of Australia’s largest sources of foreign investment, with Dutch investment in Australia valued at $89 billion in 2025. Under the new partnership, the countries will pursue further trade and investment in critical minerals and raw materials, strengthen critical supply chains and cooperate on emerging technologies including artificial intelligence.

Australia’s mineral resources will be matched with Dutch expertise in processing and recycling and the Netherlands’ position as a major European transport and logistics hub.

Australia and the Netherlands will also expand cooperation on clean hydrogen and its derivatives, low-carbon fuels, electrification and the circular economy. This builds on a 2023 agreement on hydrogen cooperation between the two countries, including the development of renewable hydrogen supply chains between Australia and Europe through the Port of Rotterdam.

Information sharing and defence cooperation

Australia and the Netherlands will increase information-sharing on maritime and regional security, cyber security, foreign interference and hybrid threats. They will explore a General Security Agreement to strengthen the exchange of classified information and seek further opportunities for joint military exercises and materiel cooperation. The partnership also provides for closer cooperation between Australian and Dutch defence industries.

The countries will work more closely in the Indo-Pacific, including through ASEAN and the Pacific Islands Forum, and expand links between their creative industries and cooperation on shared underwater cultural heritage.

Australia and the Netherlands also reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and their commitment to pursuing truth, justice and accountability for the victims of flight MH17, continuing the close cooperation between the two countries since 2014.

A broader relationship with Europe

The Dutch-Australian Strategic Partnership agreement comes as Australia’s economic and strategic relationship with Europe is expanding. Australia and the EU recently concluded negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement, with the Netherlands backing its early ratification and implementation. Australia is also preparing to join Horizon Europe in 2027, the EU’s A$155 billion research and innovation program, and has established a new Security and Defence Partnership with the EU.

Read the full Strategic Partnership between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Netherlands.