OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group Meeting: Economic Security and Supply Chain Resilience - Strengthening Inter-regional Co-operation and Market Integrity

OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group Meeting: Economic Security and Supply Chain Resilience - Strengthening Inter-regional Co-operation and Market Integrity

Statement by Mr Denis Cairney, Australia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organisations in Vienna

15 June 2026

Chair, Excellencies, colleagues

I thank the Permanent Representatives of Japan and Finland for raising this important issue and thank our expert speakers for their valuable insights. 

Like Participating States, Australia recognises that economic dependencies and supply chain vulnerabilities present a real and growing threat to our stability and prosperity.

We welcome opportunities for the Asian Partners for Co-operation to share our perspectives and approaches to the economic challenges we face, including by reinforcing market integrity and inter-regional co-operation.

Chair

Recognising shifts in the global energy landscape and escalating geopolitical complexities, we are accelerating collaboration to ensure energy stability, security and supply chain resilience.

The interconnected nature of our supply chains means that disruptions to our traditional trade routes can have significant cascading impacts across all our economies.

We recognise the impacts of disruptions to global markets that fall heavily on the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in relation to oil, gas as well as essential goods and critical downstream derivatives.

Of course, one felt most strongly is the Strait of Hormuz.

As stated by our Prime Minister and Foreign Minister today, Australia welcomes the agreement by the United States and Iran.

While full recovery will take time, restoring transit through the Strait of Hormuz as a vital trade corridor is essential to easing pressure on energy prices and economies, including in the Indo-Pacific region.

We remain committed to open markets and rules-based trade for energy resources and liquid fuels.

Chair

We see the continued security of the maritime domain as integral to economic stability.

Australia is concerned by the increase in non-transparent maritime practices, including shadow fleet activity, and ongoing threats to undersea cable infrastructure.

Since June last year, Australia has imposed targeted sanctions again 261 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet. These vessels are used to circumvent international sanctions and sustain Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.

Australia is working to support our partners, enhance maritime security, uphold international law and help regional partners manage their marine resources, including through our Southeast Asia Maritime Partnerships.

We expect any vessel operating in the vicinity of critical offshore and undersea cables infrastructure to do so in a safe and professional manner, consistent with established rules, norms and international law.

We are committed to working with partners to better protect undersea cables and maximise the digital dividend for our regions. This includes setting and sustaining appropriate norms to guide responsible state behaviour.

Chair

In response to global economic disruptions, Australia is investing in our inter-regional cooperation, to build our collective supply chain resilience and will continue to speak out about economic coercion and market-distorting practices.

We look forward to continued collaboration with the OSCE, Participating States and Asian Partners for Co-operation, to address global challenges that affect us all.

Thank you.