Australia-hosted OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group Meeting on Global economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific for peace, prosperity and security
Statement by H.E Ambassador Ian Biggs, Australia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organisations in Vienna
11 October 2024
Excellencies, colleagues
I would like to begin by thanking the Republic of North Macedonia and Deputy Permanent Representative Marku, as Chair of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group, for co-hosting today’s meeting alongside Australia. Australia greatly values the opportunity to work with the Asian Partners to bring an Indo‑Pacific perspective to the deliberations of the OSCE.
I would also like to acknowledge the Representative of the OSCE Chairpersonship of Malta, Ms Hampel, and Mr Ernst of the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.
I am deeply grateful for the participation of each of our speakers, who bring a wide range of perspectives and expertise to the important issues we are here to discuss today. And of course, my thanks to His Excellency Ambassador Raunig for moderating what I expect will be a valuable discussion.
Colleagues,
The OSCE, like many parts of the international system, has long underpinned global prosperity and security but is under increasing pressure from states who violate international laws, including the UN Charter.
Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine, in violation of international law and the UN Charter, makes all too clear the consequences of such behaviour.
Australia encourages participating States and Partners to build and maintain the regional and global architecture required for a world where no country dominates, and no country is dominated.
Colleagues
The Indo-Pacific is increasingly at the epicentre of global economic growth. We have long recognised that Australia’s future - both security and economic - resides in the shared prosperity of our region.
That recognition drives Australia to deepen our economic ties, across the Indo-Pacific and the world, in the knowledge that regional and global economic integration provides a critical incentive for peace, as economies share the benefits of prosperity.
But we recognise that economic interdependence can be misused for strategic and political ends.
We are all best served by a world that is prosperous, connected, and trades together, through a transparent and rules-based system, where economic interdependence is not misused.
We must complement international rules by working with our partners to build shared economic security and resilience.
For Australia, that includes promoting economic growth, energy transition, and new trade and investment opportunities in our region, including through our Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
We are partnering with our region on supply chains, infrastructure, critical and emerging technologies, and on the supply of the critical minerals essential to decarbonisation – contributing to the economic security of our region, and globally.
Colleagues
The importance of these issues to our shared future is why Australia has raised economic security as the focus of this morning’s discussions.
The OSCE has a role to play. Participating States and Partners for Cooperation can support commitments by regional developing economies, including by engaging more with industry bodies and business that can provide a multiplier effect to reforms, providing new opportunities for investment, trade, jobs, growth, and security at home.
Here in Vienna, we can use this forum to exchange experiences and approaches to building the national, regional and global policy settings necessary to uphold peace, stability and prosperity.
I trust this morning’s discussions will make a contribution to this endeavour.
Thank you.