US Australia Summit Yields Fruit

Following their meetings in Washington last week, U.S. President Joe Biden and Australian President Anthony Albanese released a summary memorandum describing the many commitments and collaborations promised for the allies.

The leaders covered a broad swath of inquiry, from research in responsible and ethical AI solutions, private sector investments, space technology safeguards, clean energy collaboration, critical minerals supply chains, Pacific connectivity, cyber resilience, financial access in the Pacific Islands, infrastructure development, defense and security cooperation, to public diplomacy, or the P.R. required to sell the schemes to their citizenry.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding alliance between the United States and Australia.

1. Research in Responsible and Ethical AI Solutions:

The U.S. Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Australian National University have developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance research and education cooperation between the United States and Australia. This MOU will support cutting-edge research in responsible and ethical AI solutions, addressing challenges such as pandemic preparedness and drought resilience.

2. Supporting Private Sector Innovation and Partnerships:

Microsoft announced a $3 billion investment in Australia to expand its data center and AI infrastructure over the next two years, highlighting the commitment to fostering private sector innovation and collaboration.

3. Safeguarding Space Technology:

A Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) is set to be signed on October 26, enabling U.S. commercial space launch vehicles to operate from Australia. This agreement emphasizes the importance of responsible behavior and sustainable activities in outer space.

4. Promoting Telecommunications Diversity and Resiliency:

Efforts are underway to promote technologies like Open Radio Access Networks (Open-RAN), which enhance telecommunications diversity and resiliency.

5. Building Clean Energy Supply Chains and Addressing the Climate Crisis:

The Australia-United States Climate, Critical Minerals, and Clean Energy Transformation Compact, launched in May, underscores the commitment to clean energy collaboration. This includes the establishment of an Australia-U.S. Clean Energy Industry Council and collaborative projects in grid modernization and long-duration energy storage.

6. Promoting Responsible, Sustainable, and Stable Supply of Critical Minerals:

The U.S.-Australia Critical Minerals Taskforce aims to increase investment in critical minerals mining and processing projects. Cooperation includes mapping production capacities, mutual recognition of ESG standards, information sharing, and market transparency initiatives.

7. Advancing Prosperity and Resilience in the Pacific:

The United States and Australia are investing in sustainable and reliable internet infrastructure in Pacific Island Countries through private-sector consortium investments and subsea cable systems. This initiative includes substantial financial support from both nations.

8. Building Cyber Resilience:

Efforts to enhance cyber resilience involve upgrading data services and implementing cloud-based solutions for government data protection.

9. Expanding Access to Finance:

A new Pacific Banking Forum will be launched to improve access to financial services in the Pacific Islands, addressing de-risking and correspondent banking challenges.

10. Improving Quality, High Standard Infrastructure Access:

Co-financing critical maritime infrastructure in Kiribati and strengthening bilateral development cooperation with the USAID are key initiatives to enhance infrastructure access.

11. Enhancing Defense and Security Cooperation:

Military support for Ukraine, trilateral defense cooperation with Japan, collaborative combat aircraft initiatives, and the implementation of AUKUS submarine cooperation were discussed in the context of defense and security.

12. Strengthening Alliance and Regional Solidarity:

"Public diplomacy programming" will be underwritten by the U.S. to increase understanding of the U.S.-Australia alliance within Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

[White House Fact Sheet]