February 2, 2021 (US) | February 3, 2021 (Australia)
Session 1 of the United States-Australia Indo-Pacific Conversation Series
Held with support from the U.S. Embassy Canberra & United States Studies Centre
Featuring
Amb. Jane Hardy
Australian Consul General Honolulu
Dr. Michael Goldman
Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Mission to Australia
Moderated by Bob Girrier, President, Pacific Forum
About this Session
The opening session of Pacific Forum’s US-Australia Indo-Pacific Conversation Series will bring together American and Australian leaders to discuss how the two countries have promoted shared values and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. Each side will discuss what they see as emerging challenges in a rapidly evolving security environment, from standing with partners and allies to counter coercive activities, strengthening institutions and security partnerships, and working together to control the Covid-19 pandemic. This timely discussion seeks to offer a regional outlook with a forward focus on how the alliance can do more together to ensure peace and prosperity in the region
Key Findings
Pacific Forum, in cooperation with the United States Studies Centre, and with generous support from the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, organized the inaugural session of the U.S.- Australia Indo-Pacific Conversation Series. This virtual event took place on February 2, 2021 through the Zoom platform, under the theme “The Future of the United States-Australia Alliance in the Indo-Pacific”. The session was headlined by Amb. Jane Hardy (Australian Consul General, Honolulu) and Dr Michael Goldman (Chargé d’affaires, U.S. Mission to Australia), and moderated by Pacific Forum President, Robert Girrier. The webinar brought together some 80 participants mainly from the United States and Australia, but also from other countries in Northeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific. The following are the key findings from the session. This event ran in the form of a public, on the record discussion.
History of Shared Values
100 years of cooperation between the U.S. and Australia dates back to the trenches of World War I. Australia has fought alongside the U.S. in every major conflict since 1918, but their mateship extends beyond the frontline to trade, education, international development, health, and more. The two partners often share closely-aligned opinions in the international arena, as their relationship is built on a common set of liberal democratic values and common strategic perceptions. Cooperation is also not confined to a formal alliance between Canberra and Washington D.C., but evident through other track 1.5 and track 2 diplomacy. It is an evolving partnership that seeks to reflect technological advancements and the changing international political climate.
Multilateral Cooperation
The new Biden administration has already, and will continue to, rebuild bilateral ties that were neglected during the previous administration. As demonstrated by its decision to re-join the Paris agreement, this administration will also seek to renew the U.S.’ dedication to working with international organizations.
Both Washington D.C. and Canberra identify a bright future for multilateral cooperation between the ‘Quad’ (Australia, India, Japan, Quad). As there is no immediate security threat to any of the member countries, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is not a military partnership akin to NATO. However, cooperation extends beyond “diplomatic talk shows”; areas that could benefit from collaboration between the four states include Coronavirus vaccine distribution, ensuring the efficiency of supply chains, PPE production, etc.
Although the speakers acknowledged the deterioration of the rules-based international order, both emphasized the importance of engaging with competitors respectfully, and communicating each sovereign state’s priorities effectively.
New Frontiers
There are several areas that could benefit from more cooperation between the U.S. and Australia. These include responding to issues emerging from new frontiers, such as cyber-related strategic threats and space exploration. There are also a number of existing issues with potential for more cooperation, including both countries’ contribution to development in Pacific nations, law enforcement, and climate change.
