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Tuesday, 29 August 2017

Since 2009 In the Zone has been challenging West Australians to look north. Once pigeon-holed as the most isolated capital city, if you take a latitudinal perspective the strategic role Perth can play in the Indo-Pacific is more apparent.

Perth USAsia Centre CEO Gordon Flake says sharing a time zone with 60 per cent of the world’s population puts Perth in the perfect position to be a thought leader on issues relating to the region.

“There are issues facing our region that simply cannot be solved by one country individually. Perth is at the gateway to the Indo-Pacific and therefore we can significantly contribute to the solutions.

“In the Zone began as a way to bring Western Australian leaders together to help them think differently about Perth’s place and role in the world.

“We’ve moved on from here; we know as a State that we can play an important role in the region, and In the Zone has grown to be about enhancing our understanding of the region’s issues and developing creative solutions,” he says.

Last year the fundamental question of how to sustainably feed a growing Asia was in the spotlight, this year it’s The Blue Zone.

“The Indian Ocean is the world’s third largest, covering 20 per cent of the Earth’s surface. The future of the Indo-Pacific is unfolding against a maritime backdrop and we must address the environmental, resource and security issues that come with it.

“Western Australia is well positioned to lead a discussion of maritime issues. UWA’s Ocean’s Institute is recognised for its cutting-edge research across all facets of the maritime realm and will play a major role in these discussions going forward,” he says.

Gordon is quick to point out however that In the Zone is not limited to business leaders and industry.

“It’s about engaging with the issues that affect us now and will affect us in the future. These are discussions we want everyone to be involved in especially UWA staff and students,” he says.

In the Zone is being held in Perth on Monday 2 October and more information is available here .

Speakers include Foreign Minister Hon. Julie Bishop, Former President of the General Assembly of the United Nations Dr Han Sueng—soo, Senator Penny Wong, the Hon. Mark McGowan and representatives from the UWA Oceans Institute, Woodside, Shell, CSIRO and Austral Fisheries.

Tickets are $165 for staff and $82.50 for students. Buy online .

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