Indo-Pacific maritime security roundtable with the UK First Sea Lord

Indo-Pacific maritime security roundtable with the UK First Sea Lord

Thu, 10 October 2013
Sydney

On 10 October 2013, The Lowy Institute's International Security Program convened a roundtable with the UK's First Sea Lord on the topic of Indo-Pacific Maritime Security: Challenges and Opportunities. The roundtable was held under Chatham House Rule on board HMS Daring, one of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 Destroyers, while berthed in Darling Harbour for the International Fleet Review.

The discussion focused on Australia's Indo-Pacific region and its linkages to the global maritime commons, touching these four themes:

  • What's at stake in Indo-Pacific Asia? – ranging from potential instability and risks of interstate conflict through to sustained tensions and disruption of a rules-based order as well as lower-level transnational threats to seaborne commerce and the maritime commons. 
  • Regional power dynamics and role of middle powers – ranging from questions about US-China relations through to the emerging multipolarity in the Indo-Pacific region and the potential for extra-regional stakeholders to build rules and confidence and act as security providers. 
  • Regional security architecture – including consideration of the potential for inclusive arrangements like ARF and ADMM+ or minilateral coalitions and partnerships based on interests, capability, and willingness to abide by norms and rules.
  • What role for Australia's longstanding security partnerships, notably with the United Kingdom? -  how can an Australia-UK partnership adapt to the Indo-Pacific era, including in engagement or capacity-building with third countries.

Key participants included:

  • Admiral Sir George Zambellas KCB DSC ADC, United Kingdom's First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff
  • Dr Michael Fullilove, Executive Director, Lowy Institute for International Policy
  • Rory Medcalf, International Security Program Director, Lowy Institute for International Policy
  • Anthony Bubalo, Research Director and West Asia Program Director, Lowy Institute for International Policy
  • James Brown, Military Fellow, Lowy Institute for International Policy
  • James Goldrick, AO CSC, Nonresident Fellow, Lowy Institute
  • Ric Smith, AO, PSM, Nonresident Fellow, Lowy Institute
  • Professor Hugh White, Professor of Strategic Studies, Australian National University
  • Professor Alan Dupont, Professor of International Security, UNSW and Nonresident Fellow, Lowy Institute
  • Professor Geoffrey Till, Defence Studies Department, King's College London
  • Professor Eric Grove, Centre for International Security and War Studies, University of Salford
  • Senior Australian and British Government officials and military officers

Photographs from the event can be accessed here.

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