United Kingdom and Australia strengthen their bilateral cooperation during the AUKMIN meeting of 2017.
In a significant move to bolster the UK-Australia relationship, the 9th Australia-UK Ministerial Conference (AUKMIN) took place in 2017. The conference, described as the most productive to date by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, focused on key areas of cooperation including cybersecurity, the Commonwealth, and modern slavery.
During the conference, the Foreign Secretary delivered the Lowy Institute's annual Lowy Lecture, discussing the UK-Australia relationship, Britain in Asia, and Britain in the world. This was followed by a series of meetings with Australian officials and business representatives, including a visit to the Sydney Opera House where the Foreign Secretary met with Laing O'Rourke, the contractor undertaking the multi-million upgrade of the Joan Sutherland Theatre.
In addition, the Defence Secretary visited the Royal Australian Air Force base at Richmond with Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne, and the Foreign Secretary toured the Tyro Fintech hub, promoting collaboration between the UK and Australian fintech sectors.
The Defence Secretary also joined Australian Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, in hosting an inaugural UK-Australia Defence Industry and Capability Dialogue. This dialogue aimed to strengthen the defense partnership and address current challenges.
The conference concluded with the announcement of a Leadership Forum in London planned for 2018, which is expected to continue the discussions initiated during the 9th AUKMIN.
Throughout the conference, both Secretaries of State emphasised the shared values and dedication to the rules-based international system between the UK and Australia. The Defence Secretary also stated that the meeting was constructive and productive, reaffirming the defence partnership's commitment to meeting current challenges.
While detailed outcomes from the conference, particularly regarding cybersecurity, Commonwealth, modern slavery, and the Leadership Forum in London, are not yet available in the public domain, AUKMIN meetings are known for discussing strategic partnership areas between Australia and the UK, often including security, economic cooperation, and other bilateral issues. For more information, official reports or press releases from the meeting may provide further insights.
The 9th AUKMIN marked a significant step in strengthening the UK-Australia relationship and reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to work together in various areas of mutual interest. The upcoming Leadership Forum in London is expected to continue this momentum and further cement the bond between these two nations.
During the conference, the Foreign Secretary discussed the ongoing UK-Australia relationship and the UK's role in the world during his delivery at the Lowy Institute's annual Lowy Lecture. Also, both Secretaries of State highlighted the shared commitment to the rules-based international system and emphasized the importance of strategic partnership areas, such as cybersecurity, the Commonwealth, and modern slavery, in maintaining the strength of the UK-Australia relationship.
