Australia and the Indo-Pacific - What Next?
Australia is the only country in the world with a diplomatic presence in every single Pacific Island - So why is that?
Image: Rising Tides, Rising Hope, for the people of the Indo-Pacific. The Pacific Community
Much of Australia’s current foreign policy and the general trajectory of Canberra’s efforts lie in empowering the vision of a prosperous, strong, and stable Pacific, for its people and for the generations to come.
As the founding member of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), one of the main commitments in pursuing the empowerment of the Pacific Family is underlying in the 2050 strategy of the Blue Pacific Continent. This initiative, is unique in comparison to it’s predecessors, as it has been led, set, and encouraged by the Pacific Leaders themselves, allowing for a strategy that is stable, inclusive, accountable, and provides for a long term prosperous region.
So, what does Australia have to do with it?
The contribution from Australia will strengthen the depth of the relationship that is at the cornerstone of Australia and the Pacific people. The commitment to encourage “collective impact” will ensure many issues such as climate change, disability equity, and gender equality are enshrined within the commitment.
As part of this commitment, Australia will be encouraged to contribute, inform, and support regional policy making institutions such as the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat. Being an incredibly developed country in the region, it is within the true essence of diplomacy in serving Australia’s neighbours in a humanitarian manner that will enhance the livelihood of the Pacific people.
Another commitment has been the implementation of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM), in where the initiative allows Australian businesses to hire workers from 9 Pacific islands to supplement skill shortages within the Australian economy. This provides a benefit two-fold in where the local economy is strengthened in facing the current skill shortage within the Australian economy, and Pacific workers can support their families back home, with the wage they earn while working in Australia.
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is another form of this commitment that Australia has made to the region, supporting Australian students to take internship within the region, and being able to form meaningful, friendly connections with the people of the Pacific region.
PacificAus Sports further follows this notion of shared cooperation between Australians and the Pacific, allowing for athletes to train and play together. This will enhance the capabilities of sports within the Pacific, will bridge the gap on gender equality, and promote a healthy region.
What would Australia benefit from this?
Ultimately, as the old adage provides, “A rising tide lifts all boats” - and Australia is the rising tide that will lift all the boats of it’s neighbours. As the most advanced and developed economy, Australia will empower the Pacific to encourage its people in promoting their vision, in achieving a prosperous and stable Indo-Pacific.
The thought underlies in economic diplomacy, similar to what George H.W. Bush implemented with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which led to the growth of the economies of the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and strengthening their diplomatic relations.
Though this sense, Australia can be pleased that their diplomatic efforts in promoting economic prosperity within the region will enhance the livelihoods of the Pacific - and that the efforts will ultimately strengthen the region, with Australia at the forefront of the cause. It will promote and showcase the goodness in Australia’s diplomatic statecraft, and enhance relationships for generations to come.
The efforts will prove to be a example of what Australia can achieve when it aims to promote its neighbours, allowing for inspiration of future initiatives, serving as a model of success, of what potential diplomacy provides to the world.
This will ultimately further enhance Australia’s reputation in the world as a cooperative, supportive, inclusive player in the global sphere, underpinning the level of commitment this pluralist nation aims to achieve in contributing to serving humanity.