February 1, 2023 Results of First Australia-Japan Policy Dialogue for Telecommunications Resilience

On Wednesday, February 1, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) held the first Australia-Japan Policy Dialogue for Telecommunications Resilience with Australia's Department of Home Affairs and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. The meeting took place online. Established under a joint statement signed last July, this policy dialogue is a framework for sharing information and engaging in discussions regarding shared matters of priority in the field of information and communications, with the objective of creating a safe, reliable, and resilient digital environment in the Indo-Pacific region. The meeting covered a wide range of topics in the field of information and communications, with both sides reaffirming the importance of cooperation in this field in both countries. The participants will continue to engage in discussions aimed at further deepening cooperation between Japan and Australia, as well as developing it in more concrete forms.

Key participants

1. Japan

(MIC): Mr. TAWARA Yasuo, Director-General of the Global Strategy Bureau, among others

2. Australia

(Department of Home Affairs): Mr. Marc ABLONG, Deputy Secretary, among others
(Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts): Mr. Richard WINDEYER, Deputy Secretary, among others

Overview

The participants shared information and exchanged opinions regarding initiatives relating to matters including 5G/Open RAN, submarine telecommunications cables, satellite communications, and support for capacity building in the cybersecurity field. They agreed to continue working together on policy issues common to both countries.
In addition, the participants agreed to establish under this policy dialogue a Track 1.5 Dialogue involving representatives of the private sector from both Japan and Australia, for the purpose of engaging in vigorous public-private discussion in the information and communications field.
It was agreed that the second policy dialogue should take place before the end of 2023.