Sharing perspectives on current geopolitical trends

In close cooperation with the regional office of FES Asia, six international policy experts from Japan, Korea, India, Thailand, Indonesia and New Zealand visited Canberra and Sydney from 3-6 August 2025. Thanks to the hospitality of various distinguished think-tanks and academic institutions, the guests were able to engage on a number of relevant topics in the context of ongoing geostrategic shifts affecting the region and beyond. Among many other issues, participants discussed the nature and uses of a growing number of mini-lateral formats, the future of aid in the region, geo-economic strategies of key players in light of challenges to global trade flows and questions of resilience and preparedness in times of crisis and disruption.

Discussions at the Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and with Assistant Foreign and Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite provided important input to the delegates’ deliberations. The visit was part of an on-going program of network building and strategic foresight through regular international exchanges, workshops and interviews with experts.