French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed France’s support for Australia’s bid to host the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference (COP) and praised the united front shown by Australia and New Zealand on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Posting on X, President Macron said he had spoken with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to discuss their shared commitment to peace in the Middle East.
“I welcomed their participation in the New York Call on July 29,” Macron wrote. “Australia, New Zealand, and France share the same commitment to the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, the large-scale and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and the implementation of a political solution based on two states, living side by side in peace and security.”
The discussions come ahead of the upcoming Conference on the Two-State Solution, to be held during the UN General Assembly in New York next month.
Macron also announced France’s full support for Australia’s bid to host the 2026 Climate COP, saying the two nations are “key partners in the Indo-Pacific region” and share “the same ambition to protect the environment and fight climate change.”
The diplomatic show of unity comes amid growing global outrage over the deteriorating conditions of hostages in Gaza. Hamas has signalled a conditional willingness to allow Red Cross access, but only if Israel halts air strikes and opens humanitarian corridors. The statement followed the release of a distressing video showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David in an emaciated state, prompting widespread condemnation and renewed scrutiny from the UN Security Council.
Only 20 of the 50 remaining hostages are believed to be alive. The Hostages Families Forum has condemned Hamas’ treatment of captives, demanding their immediate release and holding the group fully responsible for their wellbeing.
In response to the worsening humanitarian crisis, the Albanese government has announced an additional $20 million in aid for women and children in Gaza. The new funding, revealed on Sunday, will be delivered through trusted international partners and includes:
• $6 million for the UN World Food Programme,
• $5 million for UNICEF,
• $5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross,
• $2 million in a joint relief initiative with the UK, and
• $2 million for the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation.
This brings Australia’s total humanitarian support for Gaza and Lebanon to $130 million since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated Australia’s call for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted aid access. “The suffering and starvation of civilians in Gaza must end,” she said. “Australia will continue to work with the international community to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages and a two-state solution—the only path to enduring peace and security.”
Prime Minister Albanese also indicated that Australia may soon join other nations in recognising a Palestinian state. “It’s a matter of when, not if,” he said, stressing that such recognition would depend on Hamas stepping away from governance, given its designation as a terrorist organisation by Australia.
The move would follow similar steps by France and Canada and remarks by new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who warned the UK would recognise Palestine unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire and greater humanitarian access.
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