Policy Updates

On October 30, 2023, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden issued a joint statement on development cooperation following a state meeting in Washington DC, US.

The statement detailed a plan to cooperate on clean energy supply chains and seek advice on clean energy cooperation and industry development from both the public and private sector. It also included plans for the development of an Indo-Pacific Zero Transition Bond, to generate funding for SMEs focused on clean energy transition.

Albanese and Biden noted the assurance that the GCF, as well as other multilateral funding agencies' resources, will remain accessible to the vulnerable states most affected by climate change, particularly small island states.

The statement noted that the US and Australia would additionally assist in the financing of submarine cable connections for Pacific Island countries.

Both countries announced plans to assist ASEAN initiatives to develop sustainable and resilient agri-food systems, including through the strengthening of regional agricultural R&D.

On October 26, 2023, USAID announced that it was investing US$79 million in its Feed the Future initiative to expand its lab network with two new laboratories, as well as the expansion of a preexisting lab.

One laboratory, based at Kansas State University, will focus on developing climate-resilient crops, including staple crops such as rice, wheat, sorghum, and millet. The second laboratory, led by the University of Nebraska, will focus on its research on irrigation and water systems to help smallholder farmers identify technological solutions to reduce manual labor and increase efficiency.

A joint venture between the labs will lead a US$2 million, three-year effort to mitigate Brucelloisis infections in livestock and humans.