ASEM: Building Cooperation and Partnerships between Asia and Europe

ASEM: Building Cooperation and Partnerships between Asia and Europe

with Catherine Raper, First Assistant Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Tuesday, 19 February 2019

Australia’s 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper noted that powerful drivers of change are converging in a way that is re-shaping the international order and challenging Australian interests. Multilateral forums are a crucial contributor to resilience in the international system, facilitating cooperation, understanding and setting communal rules and norms. They support the rule of law, economic empowerment and protection and promotion of universal rights and freedoms. The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is one such forum that seeks to bring the vast continents of Asia and Europe closer together through dialogue and cooperation. ASEM works to strengthen relationships, cohesion and trust between its members. It provides a bridge between the significant European and ASEAN-centred regional architecture, enabling members to build trust and confidence in one another through mutual understanding. In a world of accelerating change, ASEM provides a common ground for members with diverse forms of government and different levels of development to identify shared interests and objectives. Australia has been a member of ASEM since 2010. Australia’s ASEM Senior Official Catherine Raper will talk about how Australia is seeking to use this forum to broaden ties and pursue our foreign and trade policy priorities.

Catherine Raper is First Assistant Secretary, Europe and Latin America Division. She is a senior career officer in Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) with over 25 years’ experience.

When: Tuesday, 19 February, 12.30-2:00pm

Where: RMIT University Council Chamber, Building 1, Level 2R, 124 La Trobe Street, Melbourne.

RSVP:  https://asia-europe.eventbrite.com.au

Light refreshments will be served.

Free event.