Strategic Challenges in the Asia Pacific Region: An Australian Perspective

Details

The speed and scale of Asia’s economic development in recent decades is unprecedented. The continent of Asia is home to three-fifths of humanity. Within decades it will produce more than half of the world’s economic output, and consume more energy than the rest of the world combined.

Explosive economic development is having a profound impact on the strategic interests of Asia’s rising powers. Increased wealth in Asia has led to changes in countries’ self-perception, with a desire for greater prestige and status. Asian states are becoming increasingly dependent on energy imports, accentuating the need for open maritime trade routes. At the same time, old rivalries are being frequently contested at sea and investment in naval capabilities is intensifying. This represents a new and complex strategic environment.

Australia and Germany have a fundamental interest in actively shaping Asia’s peaceful and prosperous rise. The Berlin-Canberra Strategic Partnership Declaration, signed after the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2012, commits both countries to closer cooperation and dialogue on key regional issues. A thorough understanding of each side’s perspectives and priorities will be fundamental to constructively addressing this shared challenge.

Professor Michael Wesley, Director of the School of International, Political and Strategic Studies (IPS) at the Australian National University and Dr. Andreas Nick, Member of the German Bundestag and Member of the Committee on Foreign Relations, will discuss the issues mentioned above.

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Program

11:30 am

Welcome

by Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy

Director, Team Asia-Pacific

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

Welcome

byH.E. David Ritchie

Australian Ambassador to Germany

11:40 am

Strategic Challenges in the Asia Pacific Region: An Australian Perspective

Presentation

byProf. Michael Wesley

Director of International, Political and Strategic Studies

National University, Australia

12:00 noon

Consequences for the European-Australian Relations: A German Perspective

Comment

byDr. Andreas Nick

Member of the German Bundestag

Member of the Foreign Relations Committee

12:15 pm

Question and Answers

01:00 pm

End

Afterwards Reception with Lunch Buffet

Moderator:

Dr. Patrick Keller''. Patrick Keller''Patrick Keller''trick Keller''ick Keller''k Keller''Keller''ller''er''''

Coordinator, Foreign and Security Policy, KAS