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Western Australia is well-placed to play a vital role in the future of Australia's relationship with the United States and other countries in the region, according to Professor Alan Robson, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Western Australia.

Professor Robson was speaking following a visit to UWA tonight by Dr Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State of the United States of America to attend a dinner hosted by WA Premier Alan Carpenter in conjunction with the Federal Foreign Affairs Minister, Stephen Smith - both UWA graduates.

"Western Australia's unique geographic position on the western rim of the Australian continent and the eastern rim of the Indian Ocean ensures we are strategically placed to play an important role in global events," Professor Robson said.

"The external factors at play on the global economic, political and diplomatic stage require developed economies like Australia and the US to be alert to the potential impact of the significant shifts in global power now occurring."

Professor Robson said stability and cohesion in the region relied on all sectors within the State - especially internationally-connected universities - developing and building on relationships through their education and research activities.

"Our geographic location provides an opportunity for a genuinely unique perspective, taking account both Australia's multi-cultural traditions and the emerging realities of global exchange, particularly with Asia and the region," he said.

"The visit by Dr Rice to WA is an acknowledgement of that work and the attention now being paid to the region by the US. Sharing the unique ‘West Coast experience' offered by this great State can only be mutually beneficial to all parties in the long term," Professor Robson said.

Media references

Alan Robson +61 8 6488 2809