Combatting COVID-19 is currently the over-riding challenge for our Indo-Pacific region. The stability, prosperity and resilience of the region will have a direct impact on Australia’s interests, including our recovery from the crisis. As we address the pandemic at home, Australia is also working closely with regional countries and organisations to help manage the health, economic and social impacts in our region through a range of groupings.

As part of these efforts, DFAT Secretary Frances Adamson has participated in regular coordination calls on the response in the Indo-Pacific with India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United States, and Vietnam. This officials-level engagement has supported the frequent contact that the Foreign Minister has had with her counterparts across the Indo-Pacific and beyond, bilaterally, and in some groups including ASEAN and G20 members.

These calls have allowed Australia to discuss best practice for responding to the challenges presented by the pandemic, ensure Australians are able to return safely home, coordinate approaches for supporting the region, build support for an independent review of the COVID-19 outbreak, emphasise the importance of rules-based open markets for economic recovery, and plan for safely re-opening our economy.