Slain humanitarian aid workers have been remembered as Australia announced protections for those who risk their lives in war.
Australian Zomi Frankcom was among the 674 aid personnel killed in conflict zones in 2024 honoured at a ceremony in New York as world leaders met at the United Nations on Sunday.
The 43-year-old Melbourne woman was killed in April 2024, when an Israeli air strike hit a convoy of cars while she was working in Gaza with World Central Kitchen.
At the UN, Foreign Minister Penny Wong declared codified protections for aid workers who are being killed in record numbers, after a year of efforts to put them in place.
"The Declaration (for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel) honours those that help others in their darkest hours and pays tribute to their legacy," Senator Wong said.
More than 100 countries, including the United Kingdom and Japan, have backed Australia's push to protect aid personnel by signing on to the non-legally binding document.
"These measures include a commitment to facilitate access and protect humanitarian personnel, ensure faster and more efficient visas and work permits, new joint training for military personnel and aid workers to protect innocent lives," Senator Wong said.
"We are pledging to new, concrete measures to keep humanitarian personnel safe and enable them to do their lifesaving work in conflict and disaster zones.
"This global pact delivers real protection for humanitarians risking their lives to protect others, at a time when they are facing unprecedented threats to their lives and safety."
Australia will provide funding to Legal Action Worldwide and the Red Family Fund to support aid workers and their families to maintain the Aid Worker Security Database.
The declaration acknowledges international laws protecting humanitarian personnel are already in place, but urges strict adherence and accountability in accordance with them.
The declaration coincided with mining billionaire Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest pledging $1.52 million to safeguard frontline aid workers.
"These are the brave heroes who risk everything in service of humanity," Dr Forrest said in a statement on Sunday.
The Australian Council for International Development said the declaration brought "renewed hope" for practical action in ensuring respect for the protection of aid workers "while putting an end to impunity for those who violate international law".
Israel and the United States have not signed the declaration.
Australia's position in recognising a Palestinian state puts its position at odds with the Trump administration, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia was taking its own position as a sovereign nation.
"Our foreign policy isn't determined in Washington, or Beijing, or Wellington for that matter," he said in New York on Sunday.
