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An international conference to tackle policy issues and challenges across the region in a time of global economic crisis will be held at The University of Western Australia in November.

Western Australian business leaders gathered at UWA this morning to launch In the Zone , a conference that will bring together the countries in Western Australia's time zone to examine regional geopolitics.

The zone is defined as "the time zones shared by Perth, 60 per cent of the world's population, and the nations that promise the greatest economic growth of the twenty-first century".

At the conference, regional leaders and experts will discuss common issues such as the long term economic future of the region, trade and investment relationships, the stability of global financial markets, working together on regional policy and dealing with global volatility.

Initiated by the University, the conference planning is being driven by a high-powered editorial committee that includes Premier Colin Barnett, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, UWA Chancellor and NAB Chairman Michael Chaney, UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson, Professor Margaret Seares, UWA Professorial Fellow Kim Beazley, Sir Rod Eddington, John Langoulant, Nobel Laureate Professor Barry Marshall and former diplomats Dr Ric Smith and Dr Susan Boyd.  All are alumni of the University.

Professor Margaret Seares, chair of the conference organising committee, said the economic crisis had resulted in a fundamental shift in the global order.

"The world has changed and Australia has a great opportunity to respond to and take advantage of this change," Professor Seares said.

The conference will be the first in a series of biennial conferences that will put Western Australia at the centre of the transformation taking place in the "Asian Century".

Dr Chaney said the global economic crisis had dissolved traditional boundaries between nations and highlighted the need for multilateral collaboration to restore economic growth and stability in these volatile times.

"Western Australia and Perth have the means and opportunity to optimise the geopolitical advantages inherent in their proximity and shared time zone with Australia's major trading partners and the ability to positively influence Australia's identity and role in an evolving world order," Dr Chaney said.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said the University had invited leaders from all sectors across the zone to explore the common challenges we face.

"Together we will enrich the practice of collaboration across the region in business, science, public policy and diplomatic engagement," he said.

Mr Tim Shanahan, Director of UWA's Energy and Minerals Initiative and a key initiator of the conference, said WA was the economic powerhouse of the nation and played a crucial role in the development of the region.

"The global economic crisis has highlighted the vulnerability of our export-driven economy and is testing our confidence on the world stage," Mr Shanahan said.

"The conference will bring together wide-ranging expertise to address some of the most important public policy issues of our time.  It will promote Perth's place as a centre of great natural resources and national and international thought, leadership and debate."

The inaugural conference will be held from 8-10 November, before the 2009 APEC leaders meet in Singapore.  More than 500 delegates are expected to attend including experts, business and political leaders from WA, Australia and the region; eminent alumni of UWA and representatives of the world's top universities.

Media references

Tim Shanahan (+61 8)  6488 4608
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716