Policy Updates

On April 13, 2024, Australia has announced it will invest a further AUD17 million(US$11 million) to extend the BPP through 2028.

Through the BPP, Australia funded a partnership with organization Gold Standard and the International Rice Research Institute to assist sustainable rice project developers. The hub assisted scaling carbon market access within Vietnam and in global markets. It aims to significantly reduce methane emissions and also to provide possibilities for more income for smallholder farmers.

The BPP promotes development by partnering with academia, not-for-profit organizations and businesses to create jobs and increase incomes. It also aims to empower women.

The four countries covered by the program are Vietnam, Samoa, Sri Lanka, and Fiji.

On March 26, 2024, according to Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy, Tuvalu’s new government has confirmed it would proceed with the Falepili Union treaty.

This treaty enables 280 people to migrate to Australia from Tuvalu every year. It also protects Tuvalu’s statehood and respects its sovereignty. In turn, the agreement would obligate Australia to provide for Tuvalu’s national security and potentially allow an Australian a veto over other security arrangements.

Tuvalu has a population of about 11,000 people, located on 9 islands in the Pacific. Increasing flooding has been reported by Australian Broadcasting Corporation due to rising water levels.

On March 25, 2024, the forthcoming World Health Summit in Melbourne released its final detailed program.

The forum is slated to be hosted by Monash University and will focus on health issues across the Pacific and Southeast Asia. The summit will run from April 22 to 24, 2024, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

A range of international and Australian speakers are listed for the three parallel sessions being held each day at the forum. Topics include drug policy, future proofing the health workforce and strengthening health care financing in the Asia-Pacific.

Speakers include Jed Carney, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, and Helen Clark, formerly Prime Minister of New Zealand and head of the UNDP.

On March 8, 2024, Australia and Laos committed to work in partnership regarding human development, economics and trade, energy, environment and climate, and law enforcement.

Australia committed to provide AUD3 million (US$2 million) in the FY2023/34 to support research to eliminate dengue fever via the World Mosquito Program conducted by Monash University.

The university’s program of breeding mosquitoes with Wolbachia bacteria has been active in the ASEAN region as well as other countries. A rigorous evaluation in 2021 in Jogjakarta demonstrated the technique led to a reduction of 77% in dengue incidents, and an 86% reduction in hospitalizations due to dengue.

The World Mosquito Program focuses on mosquito borne diseases including yellow fever, Zika, chikungunya and dengue.

On March, 6, 2024, IFAD President Dr. Alvao Lario visited Australia to seek funding for IFAD.

Australia withdrew from the organization in 2003, citing a lack of focus on the Asia-Pacific.

Speaking at the Australian National University, Lario emphasized the benefits of IFAD’s work in Austrlia, particularly as it relates to climate adaptation in the Pacific. He also spoke at a major Global Citizen NOW event in Melbourne.

Lario stressed that IFAD focuses on low-income, rural communities and mitigating the impact of climate change on them. He also visited the Solomon Islands and held discussions with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare before arriving in Australia.

On March 5, 2024, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a new AUD2 billion (US$1.2 billion) initiative to finance infrastructure and clean energy projects in the Southeast Asian region, named the Southeast Asia Finance Investment Authority.

The authority would provide insurance, loans, guarantees, and equity for projects that boost Australia’s investment in the region and would be managed by Export Finance Australia.

NGOs have questioned if this facility will draw on ODA funds, which is the case for the existing Pacific infrastructure initiative. In the case of the Pacific initiative, case, 25% of the funding was drawn from the ODA budget.

On March 5, 2024, South Korea and Australia renewed their MOU on development cooperation since its first signing in 2019.

The renewed MOU outlined an institutional framework for cooperation on new bilateral development cooperation policies, cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and sectors (gender equality, climate change, humanitarian assistance, etc.), and strengthening of cooperation mechanisms. In particular, the document set out guidelines for Director General level-biennial meetings of Development Cooperation Policy Council.

The updated agreement is expected to further strengthen cooperation between South Korea and Australia to contribute to the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

On March 5, 2024, the Australian Foreign Affairs and Climate Change Ministers announced a new AUD10 million (US$6 million) program to assist technical capacity building and expertise sharing through partnerships with ASEAN countries.

The partnerships would focus on climate change and clean energy. The funding allows Australian Territories and States to build on technical relationships with counterparts in Southeast Asia.

On February 24, Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong jointly announced AUD20 million (US$13 million) in assistance to partners in the Indo-Pacific to build resilience and prosperity through trade.

The assistance will support enhancing intellectual property systems, capacity in the digital economy, and examining avenues to bolster national climate adaptation planning.

Half of this funding will be for the Pacific Islands to assist their engagement in the WTO. Timor-Leste would also be assisted as a new member of the WTO.

Sustainable development research organizations in Geneva are slated to receive assistance to help Indo-Pacific countries to advance developments and climate priorities through trade.

On February 15, 2024, the Lowy Institute recommended that Australia scale up its financing to assist Southeast Asia in meeting the Paris Agreement climate targets.

Australia has provided similar funds through the Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific. The facility provides AUD4 billion (US$2.6 billion) for the construction of climate resilient infrastructure in the region.

The publication asserted that Australia should be willing to provide at least as much funding through a similar facility to assist an ASEAN transition. Because identifying viable projects would be easier, not every financing arrangement would need ODA support. Such investment would also utilize Australian expertise and skills to assist a clean energy transition in Southeast Asia.