Anzac Day is being marked across the world today, with Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates holding commemorations in regions shaped by both conflict and peace.
Australian diplomats are representing the nation at services honouring those who served in war, conflict and peacekeeping missions, as communities gather from Europe to the Pacific to reflect on a shared history of service.
In the Middle East, several posts are marking the day without traditional public events due to ongoing conflict. Embassies in Israel, the UAE, Qatar and Iraq have encouraged Australians to stand at dawn in quiet reflection.
Australia’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Miles Armitage, said, “Although we may be physically apart this year, we remain united in spirit. In challenging times like these, that spirit of remembrance, resilience and connection matters more than ever.”
Across Europe, commemorations are taking place at historic sites linked to the Gallipoli campaign and the Second World War. In Malta, officials are attending a ceremony at the Pietà Military Cemetery, where 174 Australians are buried after being evacuated from Gallipoli.
Todd Dias and navy attache
Australia’s High Commissioner to Malta, Matt Skelly, said, “In 1916, Malta was one of the first countries outside Australia in which a ceremony was held to mark the Gallipoli landing and we continue to appreciate, and be honoured by, Malta’s commitment to commemorating Anzac Day. Malta cared for our Anzacs injured during the Gallipoli campaign. Australian soldiers noted the fondness, warmth and skill of the Maltese people during this time.”
In the Netherlands, schoolchildren are laying flowers at the grave of Warrant Officer Jack Dawson Green, an Australian Spitfire pilot killed in 1945. His grave has been maintained by local students for decades, reflecting an ongoing link between communities.
Japan is hosting a commemoration at the Yokohama Commonwealth War Cemetery, where more than 281 Australian prisoners of war are buried. Australia’s Ambassador-Designate to Japan, Andrew Shearer, said, “The Yokohama eucalypt cemetery is a small part of Australia on the outskirts of Tokyo. Commemorating Anzac Day in a place that reflects shared history, mutual respect, and ongoing friendship, is a powerful reminder of how long and how deeply the ties between Australia and Japan run.”
In Türkiye, where the Gallipoli campaign remains central to the Anzac story, commemorations continue with local support. Australia’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Sally-Anne Vincent, said, “Anzac Day will forever have its roots in Gallipoli, where both ANZAC and Turkish soldiers faced suffering and loss in 1915. This is why we remain so deeply thankful to the Government and people of Türkiye for caring for these sites with such dignity, and for so generously welcoming Australians and New Zealanders back each year to honour our fallen.”
In Papua New Guinea, where Australian and local forces fought side by side during the Second World War, the High Commission is holding 10 dawn ceremonies across the country, including at Bomana War Cemetery and Lae War Cemetery.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ewen McDonald, said, “From fighting together on the front lines of the Second World War to maintaining a modern defence force relevant to the challenges of our time, the bonds of mateship forged between our two countries remain. We have recently seen that spirit in action, with our two defence forces working together to deliver much needed supplies to provinces affected by Cyclone Maila – just as close mates do in times of need.”
Commemorations are also being held across the Pacific, including in Tuvalu and Vanuatu, where wartime history continues to shape local memory. Australia’s High Commissioner to Tuvalu, David Charlton, said, “As High Commissioner to Tuvalu and as a Colonel in the Australian Army Reserve, Anzac Day has special dual meaning for me this year in Tuvalu. Tuvaluans still live with the legacy of the Second World War today – from aircraft wrecks that are now war graves in Funafuti Lagoon to war remnants on land. Like Australians and New Zealanders, Tuvaluans made sacrifices. At its peak, 2000 Tuvalu men served and historians estimate that 55 Tuvaluans lost their lives during the Second World War.”
Australia’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Max Willis, said, “The spirit of unity, resilience, and selflessness that defined the Anzacs are a guide to how our two countries aspire to engage with our Pacific family. I am deeply proud when I see these values upheld here in Vanuatu, in the way we – Australia, New Zealand and Vanuatu – are working together in pursuit of our shared vision for a safe and prosperous region for generations to come.”
Sporting events are also forming part of the commemorations, with Australian Football League matches planned near Hellfire Pass in Thailand and in Guangzhou, China, reflecting a longstanding link between sport and remembrance.
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