ASPI launches report about Australia-South Korea critical technology cooperation

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On 13 December 2024, ASPI hosted a hybrid event to launch its report entitled “Australia and South Korea: Leveraging the strategic potential of cooperation in critical technologies” funded by the Korea Foundation. Co-authored by Afeeya Akhand and Atitaya (Angela) Suriyasenee from ASPI’s Cyber, Technology and Security team, the report highlights the importance of strengthened bilateral collaborations across the fields of biotechnologies, electric batteries, artificial intelligence (AI), and space and satellite technologies.

The event’s opening remarks were delivered by ASPI Executive Director, Justin Bassi, South Korean Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Admiral (Retd) Seungseob Sim, and the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI)’s President, Dr Ji Woong Yoon. Each speaker’s remarks highlighted the timeliness of deepened bilateral relations and technological cooperation between Australia and South Korea, amidst intensifying geostrategic competition and the deteriorating security environment.

Following the opening remarks and a presentation about the report’s key findings, audience members heard insights from Australian and South Korean technology experts through a panel discussion. Moderated by ASPI’s Jocelinn Kang, the panel consisted of the report’s lead author, Afeeya Akhand, STEPI’s Dr Dongwook Seoh and ANU National Security College’s Dr Dirk van der Kley. Each expert shared their thoughts about the report, which focuses on four policy recommendations:

  • Formalisation of more links between R&D institutions to facilitate expert exchanges and knowledge transfers in the biotechnology field;
  • Creation of joint manufacturing facilities for electric battery materials;
  • Implementation of a government-to-government framework to enable joint satellite launches on Australian soil and;
  • Coordination of approaches to AI standards through international bodies.

The event was attended by a range of government, industry and research stakeholders, with several attendees travelling from South Korea and Japan to join the event.

The event recording can be accessed here.

ASPI and STEPI sign MoU for future cooperation on technology policy

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On 12 December 2024, ASPI and South Korea’s Science and Technology Institute (STEPI) entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen institutional links between the two organisations within the field of science and technology policy.  
 
Signed by the heads of the two respective organisations, ASPI Executive Director Justin Bassi and STEPI President Dr Ji Woong Yoon, the MoU provides a formalised framework for the two institutions to build on an already strong cooperative relationship.  

This MoU enables the two institutions to exchange knowledge, engage in joint dialogues and pursue shared research within the areas of economic security, space policies, and policies related to critical and emerging technologies.  

STEPI’s media release for the MoU can be accessed here (in Korean): https://www.stepi.re.kr/skin/doc.html?fn=bf792cc6503f57683476f6ea9b001702&rs=/preview/html/202412

AUKUS Messaging Roundtable

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On 3 December, ASPI DC was delighted to host the first in a series of roundtable discussions on AUKUS messaging. The event brought together an esteemed group of representatives from academia, think tanks, and government to consider the unique and shared challenges each partner nation faces, such as the political resilience of AUKUS, countering misinformation, and youth engagement.

Led by ASPI DC’s Jackie Gibson and Cameron Hendrix, with support from Chandler Jessup, Nerida King, and Nishank Motwani, the enlightening dialogue yielded insights into public and private perceptions of AUKUS, the benefit of governments highlighting national and subnational interests as well as values, the importance of multilateral diplomacy, and the long-term opportunities to communities of AUKUS Pillar Two. Thank you to all who attended, and we look forward to the next iteration of this conversation!

US and Australian Women and Space Event with AWDC

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On the evening of November 14th, ASPI DC and Australian Women in DC (AWDC) were thrilled to host a lively event on US and Australian Women and Space: New Frontiers for Business and Government.

At a time when most everyone in DC, and beyond, is consuming a diet of election outcomes and political appointments, it was great to step back and discuss the importance of space as a domain for innovation and development in defense, science, and communications.

A big thank you to Paula Trimble, US Space Force Space Development Agency; Jeremy Hallett, Space Industry Association of Australia; and Lisa Wood, BAE Systems, Inc. for generously sharing their time, expertise, and advice on what makes a great mentor and exciting career. Thanks also to our moderator Nerida King of ASPI DC and AWDC who drew these connections together.

Some key takeaways that resonated with our audience as they chatted over Australian wine and seasonal food:

  • The US must collaborate with its allies and partners on space. It is impossible for any one company or business to keep up with technological change required.
  • Space development is integral on the world stage—from responding to global challenges like great power competition, communications failures, climate change and natural disasters—down to the personal level, like navigating oneself with GPS.
  • President-elect Trump’s role in establishing the US Space Force in 2019 and close connection with Space X entrepreneur Elon Musk ensures the sector will continue to attract interest in the US.

Thanks to everyone who joined and made it such a successful (and topical) event!

Independent Review of National Natural Disaster Governance Arrangements

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Australia’s national disaster governance arrangements need major changes to grapple with the increasing size, intensity, cost and complexity of climate-fuelled natural disasters.

These findings were arrived at by the Independent Review of National Natural Disaster Governance Arrangements, led by Dr Robert Glasser (ASPI Senior Fellow, Climate and Security Policy Centre).

The Review, which the Government released publicly last Friday, was commissioned in 2023 by the National Emergency Management Ministers’ Meeting, a Ministerial Council reporting to the National Cabinet.

“ Climate change makes it fundamentally necessary to discard the notion that national-scale natural disasters happen only infrequently; they will rapidly become annual occurrences, with less and less “down time” for first responders to recover, relief supplies and emergency equipment to be replenished, infrastructure to be re-built, and for communities to re-establish their resilience .” the report noted.

“ The litmus test of the effectiveness of Australia’s emergency management planning, investments, capacities, and governance arrangements, at every jurisdictional level across Australia, should be the extent to which we are mitigating the risks of intensifying, increasingly national-scale, year-round hazards, in which emergency preparedness, response, relief, and recovery will be required simultaneously. ”

The overarching conclusion in the Review is that the governance arrangements do not adequately address this emerging environment. This is reflected in a variety of ways described in the report:

  • Siloed approaches to address risks and threats that should be integrated;
  • Agendas and discussions in governance meetings focused on immediate challenges, to the detriment of emerging, more fundamental, and therefore more urgent, challenges;
  • Underinvestment in risk reduction and resilience;
  • Insufficient consideration of the sweeping changes and innovations required to address the emerging risks.

The findings emerged from extensive consultations with dozens of experts and decision-makers in the private sector, foundations, civil society, and the hazards research community – as well as Ministers, senior officials, Commissioners, and Chief Officers from Commonwealth, State, and Territorial Governments.

“ The climate is continuing to warm rapidly. We are now entering uncharted waters, where our historical experience in a broad array of areas, including our experience of disasters, is no longer a reliable guide for what lies ahead. This has enormous consequences for how we prepare for these extreme events and for how we structure and manage our national governance arrangements ,” the report states.

Click here to read the Review.

Nerida King Joins ASPI DC as Resident Senior Fellow

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We e are excited to announce the addition of Nerida King as Resident Senior Fellow to the ASPI DC team!

With more than 20 years’ experience in policy, security and intelligence roles in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including postings to the U.S., China and the Soloman Islands, Nerida comes to ASPI with expertise in national security, foreign policy, US-China and the Indo-Pacific, AUKUS, US Congress, maritime security and deterrence and foreign influence.

Most recently, Nerida was Deputy Chief Congressional at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC, where she led congressional engagement on cross-portfolio China issues and on AUKUS, including the passage of AUKUS enabling legislation in December 2023.

Welcome, Nerida!

Submission to the Senate Inquiry on right wing extremism

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This submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry into right wing extremist movements in Australia reflects the opinions of the four authors. It was originally submitted to the Committee in April 2024. The authors gave further evidence to the Parliamentary Committee on 24th July 2024.

The Submission makes 5 recommendations to the Committee:

  1. Terminology: Government and policymakers should shift from “right-wing extremism” to more specific terms such as “ideologically motivated violent extremism” (IMVE), “issue-based grievances” or group specific language (e.g. ‘neo-Nazi’, ‘violent misogynists’) to better reflect the difference in radicalisation motivations and avoid politicisation.
  2. Clarification: Government and policymakers should emphasise the distinction between extremism, violent extremism and terrorism, highlighting that only violent extremism and terrorism are criminal or national security issues.
  3. Freedom of Expression: Government and policymakers should recognise that freedom of speech and respectful engagement are vital for national resilience, and avoid criminalising extremist views that don’t involve violence.
  4. Zero-Tolerance for Criminality: Government and policymakers should maintain a zero-tolerance policy for criminal actions related to extremism, including hate speech and violence.
  5. Non-Law Enforcement Policies: Government and policymakers should increase funding for community programs promoting civic engagement and social cohesion through initiatives like the Community Engagement Resilience Grant.

The submission also discusses relevant topics to the inquiry such as: the nature and extent of movements and persons holding extremist right-wing views in Australia; young people and radicalisation; measures to counter violent extremism in Australia focusing on young people; and maintaining an apolitical approach.

The submission concludes that Australia’s approach to right wing extremism should create a balance between security and freedom, and promote respectful debate while simultaneously addressing harmful extremism. Policies should be comprehensive and adapt to the ongoing situation, prioritising the protection of democratic values and maintaining social cohesion.

Roundtable on Climate Resiliency and Investment in the Pacific Islands

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On 29 July, ASPI DC was thrilled to host a roundtable discussion on Climate Resiliency and Investment in the Pacific Islands, which brought together government officials across a variety of agencies and departments, members of the think tank community, diplomats from Indo-Pacific countries, Congressional staffers, and experts in climate adaptation and development finance to consider the challenges and opportunities for climate mitigation and adaption in the Pacific Islands.

Following the viewing of an informational video from ASPI’s Head of Climate and Security Policy Centre, Michael Copage, ASPI DC’s Tasfia Zeba and Morgan Chen led the event, which solicited crucial insights regarding the need for greater cooperation among development finance organizations and nations, the importance of strategic messaging for target audiences, and the necessity of implementing a dynamic, bottom-up approach that considers regional perspectives and emboldens climate-affected communities in the solution calculus.

This topic is highly important to us, and we look forward to propelling the discussion further.

July Policy in the Pub

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On 26 July, ASPI DC hosted a lively iteration of Policy in the Pub in conjunction with the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games. Friends across think tanks, business, and government came together at the Fox and Hounds lounge in Dupont Circle to cheer on Team Australia, watching the athletes parade down the Seine in green blazers. Australians and Americans at the event partook in playful banter over who would solicit more medals in key events: swimming, rugby, and soccer, in particular. We would like to thank all attendees who continue to make Policy in the Pub an exciting opportunity to carve out the Australian perspective in the American landscape.

ASPI co-hosts Australia-ROK Critical Tech Track 1.5 in Seoul

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On July 9, 2024, ASPI co-hosted the Australia-Republic of Korea Critical Technologies Track 1.5 Dialogue in Seoul with the Science & Technology Policy Institute (STEPI).

The Track 1.5 brought together Australian and Korean government, industry and research stakeholders for a dialogue about the role of critical technologies such as biotechnology, AI, quantum and space technologies for regional stability. The discussions focused on how Australia and the Republic of Korea can deepen cooperation on critical technologies, the role of broader regional engagement on technologies through multilateral bodies and how to prioritise which technologies are the most critical areas for cooperation.

The insights from the Track 1.5 will inform an upcoming ASPI report to be co-authored by ASPI’s Afeeya Akhand and Atitaya (Angie) Suriyasenee and will be launched by ASPI’s Executive Director, Mr Justin Bassi, in Canberra in November 2024. The Track 1.5 and report has been generously funded by the Korea Foundation.