Penny Wong says Australia to host Indian Ocean Conference in Perth in February 2024

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong announced that her country will host the Indian Ocean Conference in Perth in February next year. The conference will serve as a platform to address practical solutions for the significant challenges facing the region. Wong expressed her pleasure at the confirmation during a joint press briefing with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as part of the India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue. The Indian Ocean Conference, inaugurated in 2016 in Singapore with participation from 30 countries, has evolved into a consultative forum for regional countries to discuss matters of mutual interest. Emphasising the importance of collaboration, Wong highlighted shared concerns such as climate change, maritime security, and ocean health during her discussions with Jaishankar in New Delhi. Wong also unveiled an Australia-Indian Audio Visual Coproduction agreement aimed at fostering collaboration in the film and series industry. Acknowledging the comprehensive strategic partnership and Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) membership, Wong stressed the shared commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. She expressed gratitude for India’s collaboration in the G20 and pledged continued engagement with China based on cooperation, disagreement when necessary, and pursuit of national interests. With inputs from ANI