Regional Security and Middle Power Diplomacy

This lecture is the Annual Dr John Gee Memorial Lecture and was presented by the Lowy Institute for International Policy and The Strategic and Defence Studies Centre. Dr Kelly will address the Rudd Government's approach to regional security and middle power diplomacy. He will cover the role of the three pillars - the US alliance, membership of the United Nations, and comprehensive engagement with the countries of Asia and the Pacific - in shaping Australia's role in the region and the world. Dr Kelly will also outline Australia's approach to new and emerging regional security challenges from a Defence perspective, including the importance of relationships and alliances to regional stability in the 21st century.About Dr John GeeDr John Gee served with distinction as an Australian diplomat in a number of countries. His greatest contribution, however, was in the field of disarmament, where he had a particular interest in chemical weapons. After a period as a Commissioner on the United Nations Special Commission on Iraq following the first Gulf War, he became Deputy Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague, serving there until 2003. In recognition of his achievements, Dr Gee was made a member of the Order of Australia in January 2007. For more information on the Lowy Institute for International Policy go to: http://www.lowyinstitute.org/