Reimagining Australia's international relations.
A platform for collaboration between the development, diplomacy and defence communities.
AP4D Symposia
April is a busy month for AP4D with three new papers being launched:
Combatting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
Thursday 20 April 2023, 1:00-2:00pm (Canberra time)
Combatting IUU fishing is fundamentally about supporting the integrity of the international legal framework and the rules-based international order. The paper being launched outlines a vision and integrated pathways for how Australia can work with partners to prevent, deter and combat IUU fishing in Southeast Asia, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. Minister for International Development and the Pacific and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy will deliver a message at the symposium.
A Joint Agenda for Maritime Security with Southeast Asia
Wednesday 26 April 2023, 5:30-6:30pm (Melbourne time)
Maritime security is vital for Australia and Southeast Asia, making it a shared priority issue for the region. While the breadth of the topic can seem overwhelming, it also means there is opportunity for a comprehensive and integrated approach. The paper being launched proposes pathways for Australia and Southeast Asia to develop and progress a joint agenda for maritime security.
This is the first paper in a new Blue Security collaboration between AP4D, La Trobe Asia, Griffith Asia Institute, University of New South Wales Canberra, and the University of Western Australia’s Defence and Security Institute.
Australia and Timor-Leste: Shaping a Shared Future
Thursday 27 April 2023, 1:00-2:00pm (Canberra time)
Australia and Timor-Leste share a complex past. But as close neighbors with mutual interests in Timorese development and regional stability, both countries can also shape a shared future. The paper being launched highlights opportunities for Australia to be a trusted, reliable partner of Timor-Leste as it actualises its sustainable development goals.
Our people
The AP4D Advisory Group is co-chaired by Marc Purcell and Michael Wesley.
Recent commentary by Advisory Group members include:
James Batley on Solomon Islands foreign policy.
Hayley Channer on the economics of AUKUS.
Susannah Patton on findings from the 2023 Lowy Asia Power Index.
Bridi Rice on a human-centred design approach to Australian foreign policy.
Joanne Wallis on scholarships as a tool of statecraft.
Marc Purcell and Nicola Rosenblum on promoting more effective disaster and conflict response.
Joanne Wallis and James Batley on security cooperation in the Pacific.
Allan Gyngell on whether we are in a new Cold War.
Richard Moore and William Stoltz on strategic competition and development.
Our Program
On Tuesday 4 April AP4D hosted an in-conversation event 'A case study in integrated statecraft: Australia and the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands'. AP4D Co-chair Professor Michael Wesley and Executive Director Melissa Conley Tyler discussed the RAMSI intervention as an example of Australia using all tools of statecraft in practice. Former RAMSI Special Coordinators James Batley and Nicholas Coppel also shared some fascinating insights.
On 29 March AP4D was delighted to host a delegation from the Cambodian National Institute for Diplomacy and International Relations, in partnership with Australia Awards. Delegates were joined by representatives from Development Intelligence Lab, the Australian Council for International Development and AP4D to discuss diplomatic capability-building and women in international affairs.
In the news
AP4D has been featured in:
SBS News
AP4D staff have spoken at:
- The Joint Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade 'Inquiry into supporting democracy in our region'
- Australian Davos Connection Australian Leadership Retreat
- Asia Institute webinar: 'How learning Asian languages changes your worldview'
- University of Melbourne guest lecture: 'Human Rights in Asia and the Middle East'
- DFAT webinar: 'Maritime Security Challenges across the Indo-Pacific'
