On June 30 2017, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands came to an end, marking the conclusion of the longest Australian-led intervention mission in our history. RAMSI was a response to a tumultuous period in Solomon Islands history known locally as ‘The Tensions’. Since 2003, thousands of police, military and civilian personnel from 15 member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum have taken part in RAMSI to help restore law and order and strengthen Solomon Islands institutions. How successful has this intervention been and how has it left Solomon Islands? What challenges does Solomon Islands continue to face and what plans does the current government have to address those challenges?

On 14 July the Lowy Institute hosted a conversation with Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare and former RAMSI Special Coordinator James Batley about the lessons learnt from RAMSI, and what’s next for one of Australia’s closest neighbours, Solomon Islands.

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On June 30 2017, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands came to an end, marking the conclusion of the longest Australian-led intervention mission in our history. RAMSI was a response to a tumultuous period in Solomon Islands history known locally as ‘The Tensions’. Since 2003, thousands of police, military and civilian personnel from 15 member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum have taken part in RAMSI to help restore law and order and strengthen Solomon Islands institutions. How successful has this intervention been and how has it left Solomon Islands? What challenges does Solomon Islands continue to face and what plans does the current government have to address those challenges?

On 14 July the Lowy Institute hosted a conversation with Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare and former RAMSI Special Coordinator James Batley about the lessons learnt from RAMSI, and what’s next for one of Australia’s closest neighbours, Solomon Islands.

Pascal Lamy, whose distinguished career includes former European Union Commissioner for Trade and former head of the World Trade Organization, is currently in Australia to discuss the future of the European Union’s relationship with the Pacific.

The EU’s partnership with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries has been guided by the so-called ‘Cotonou Agreement’, which expires in 2020. Negotiations on a new agreement will commence soon and present an opportunity to reflect a changing world and new landmark international agreements, such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

On 3 August Mr Lamy addressed the Lowy Institute on how the Pacific may evolve: in the new era of Trumponomics(and end of the Trans-Pacific Partnership); in light of the rise of China; and in the context of new international trade agreements and shifting paradigms in development assistance – with a focus on the European Union.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pascal Lamy, whose distinguished career includes former European Union Commissioner for Trade and former head of the World Trade Organization, is currently in Australia to discuss the future of the European Union’s relationship with the Pacific.

The EU’s partnership with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries has been guided by the so-called ‘Cotonou Agreement’, which expires in 2020. Negotiations on a new agreement will commence soon and present an opportunity to reflect a changing world and new landmark international agreements, such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

On 3 August Mr Lamy addressed the Lowy Institute on how the Pacific may evolve: in the new era of Trumponomics(and end of the Trans-Pacific Partnership); in light of the rise of China; and in the context of new international trade agreements and shifting paradigms in development assistance – with a focus on the European Union.

On 27 July the UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, delivered the 2017 Lowy Lecture at Sydney Town Hall.

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On 27 July the UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, delivered the 2017 Lowy Lecture at Sydney Town Hall.

The Lowy Institute's East Asia Program Director Merriden Varrall speaks to Alanna Krolikowski, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Alberta's China Institute and participant in the ANU's 17th annual China Update, on developments in China's aerospace sector.

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The Lowy Institute's East Asia Program Director Merriden Varrall speaks to Alanna Krolikowski, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Alberta's China Institute and participant in the ANU's 17th annual China Update, on developments in China's aerospace sector.

On 18 July the Lowy Institute hosted a conversation with Dr Michael Fullilove and Dennis Richardson AO, who until his recent retirement was one of Australia’s most experienced and respected public servants.

On 12 May 2017, Dennis Richardson retired as the Secretary of the Department of Defence, ending a storied public service career that began in 1969. In that time, he served as the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as Australian Ambassador to the United States and as Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. He was also Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister from 1990 to 1991.

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On 18 July the Lowy Institute hosted a conversation with Dr Michael Fullilove and Dennis Richardson AO, who until his recent retirement was one of Australia’s most experienced and respected public servants.

On 12 May 2017, Dennis Richardson retired as the Secretary of the Department of Defence, ending a storied public service career that began in 1969. In that time, he served as the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as Australian Ambassador to the United States and as Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. He was also Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister from 1990 to 1991.