Closing remarks to the 2020 Summit Final Plenary Session

Thanks very much, Michael Wesley. If I can again thank you for all your work as co-convener.

If I can thank the facilitators and note takers for the Security and Prosperity stream. And if can I particularly thank the 100 or so participants who have helped synthesise the thematics, priorities and ideas. I have to say there were very many more practical suggestions which have been recorded for us to give serious contemplation to.

If I had to summarise in one word the spirit of the engagement in the Future and Prosperity stream for the last two days, it would be this, optimism: optimism that we can do more as a nation state in the world; optimism that we can do better as a nation state in the world.

This is particularly reflected by the notion that we want to be effective as a global player, we want to be a good international citizen. We can achieve this not just by what we're seen to do at home, but how we are respecting of and respectful of other nation states. That if we treat our own citizens with civility and dignity and treat nation states with civility and dignity, then we might make some progress in being a good global player. That requires much more engagement in international institutions. It requires an observance of international rule of law.

The second strand or theme was much more engagement in our own region: that we can do much more in and for the Pacific and we have to do much more in Asia.

This was particularly and strongly reflected by the view that we have to make Australia's understanding of Asian literacy and Asian culture almost second nature to us. This is the most important thing we can do, not just from an international relations point of view, but also from our young schoolchildren's point of view, very much an important educative thing we can aspire to.

Ends

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