CATHERINE WEST: Strong trade and defence relationships are vital during periods of instability

As UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific region, I see daily how crucial this region is to Britain, and as someone with roots in both the UK and Australia, I know how much we have in common and how much we can achieve when we stand together.

Our close historic friendship with Australia is being transformed into a dynamic partnership pushed forward by the creativity, commitment and passion of our people, and our shared determination to manage the risks and seize the opportunities in this rapidly changing part of and the world.

I am delighted to be visiting Australia this week to underscore the UK’s unwavering commitment to our partnership with Australia and the Indo-Pacific. I will break ground on our new consulate in Melbourne — a visible symbol of what we want to achieve. It is part of our expanded network across Australia’s states and territories helping us to work more directly with governments, people and businesses.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a major foreign policy speech last week that we are living through a “Great Remaking”, a time of flux where states such as ours need to work together more than ever. Our shared values and shared commitment to do what is right, will help us to build coalitions to address the most pressing priorities of security, climate and economic growth. We are stronger facing these challenges together.

The UK and Australia Defence and Security Agreement contributes to regional and global stability, including on crises such as Ukraine. The AUKUS partnership between Australia, the UK and the US is our most strategically significant new agreement in a generation. It is supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, and creating jobs and economic growth in all three countries.

A multinational naval deployment, led by the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, is in this region and will visit Australia soon. We also carry out a wide range of joint operations and exercises, including the permanent deployment of two Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessels, HMS Tamar and HMS Spey in the Indo-Pacific. Our Five Power Defence Arrangement with Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore also promotes defence and security cooperation and interoperability in this region.

Australians and Pacific Islanders understand climate vulnerability better than anyone. I was devastated to see the recent floods affecting tens of thousands in New South Wales and Queensland, while farmers in Victoria’s Central Highlands face drought. It is clear we must act — and do it together. As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said, acting on climate change is the entry fee for credibility in this region.

I am proud of the UK’s leadership; we are on track to reduce our emissions 81 per cent below 1990 levels by 2035. We look forward to welcoming an ambitious new Australian target, to ensure we achieve a net zero world by 2050.

The UK supports Australia’s bid to host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific, highlighting the urgent need for action and showcasing Pacific climate leadership.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is clear that achieving resilience and a green transition will require multiple funding sources. The UK is working with London’s private finance sector to drive investment reforms, and supporting innovation like Forever Wild’s nature finance solution, inspired by their work protecting Australia’s precious outback ecosystems.

Economic growth is central to my visit and we share a joint focus on creating jobs, boosting productivity, and raising wages. Our new consulate in Melbourne will be a centre for business, helping our companies and universities thrive together.

The UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement and the UK’s accession to the CPTPP trade zone create new opportunities for collaboration and prosperity. The Indo-Pacific already accounts for almost 17 per cent of the UK’s total trade and 11 per cent of our foreign investment and we will keep expanding partnerships to increase this.

There is still much more to achieve and this only represents a small part of our work. Our relationship with Australia will go from strength to strength to build a free and open Indo-Pacific. As I look ahead to what’s to come, and reflect our close ties, I’ll end by sending my very best wishes to the British and Irish Lions ahead of their 10-match Australia tour.

Catherine West is the UK’s Indo-Pacific Minister