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Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, has hosted the largest diplomatic delegation ever to visit Western Australia.  The 80 ambassadors and Heads of Mission attended the In the Zone Conference at The University of Western Australia this morning as a key part of their three day visit to the State.

"In the Zone will look at the potential and opportunities for doing business in Western Australia and throughout the Indian Ocean and the Asia Pacific," Ms Bishop said.  "The idea is not only to attract investment here into Western Australia but also to show that we have the expertise to invest in the mining and resource sectors of other countries.

"This is an opportunity for the ambassadors and Heads of Mission to see first-hand the sheer extent and scale of the investment here in Western Australia.

"I am very proud of the fact that we have the largest delegation of diplomats ever to visit Western Australia and I'm sure that we will see the results of this effort in the weeks and years ahead."

The Canberra-based delegation mixed with other leading diplomatic, business and political leaders from around the world at the opening session of In the Zone 2014: a new narrative for prosperity and power.

In this session, Asian engagement: Australia's engagement with Indo-Pacific Asia , delegates heard from the Foreign Minister, the Premier of Western Australia, the Hon Colin Barnett MLA, the Chancellor of UWA, Dr Michael Chaney AO, and the former Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, Dr Dino Patti Djalal.

The opening session was moderated by Ms Aiko Doden, senior commentator at the Japan Broadcasting Corporation.

Editor's Note:  About the In the Zone Conference Series

Perth shares a time zone with 60 per cent of the world's population, and the nations that promise the greatest economic growth of the twenty-first century.  The In the Zone Conference Series has highlighted our shared time zone and the growing geo-strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific.

Over the last five years, In the Zone has brought together a number of leaders from countries including Japan, China, Korea, India, Singapore, Myanmar, and Indonesia, representing governments, industry and the community.  Together with many of Australia's most strategic thinkers, policy makers, scientists and business leaders, the In the Zone conference series has facilitated a wide-ranging international dialogue.

Media references

Sonia Nolan (In the Zone Media Manager)  (+61 4) 01 034 103
David Stacey (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 32 637 716