Unity and Discord in the Pacific: Negotiating the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus

Unity and Discord in the Pacific:  Negotiating the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus
Unity and Discord in the Pacific: Negotiating the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus

Principal speaker

Dr Larry Crump

Please join the Griffith Asia Institute for our upcoming seminar on Thursday September 12th, 12-1:30pm.

ABSTRACT

The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) is a trade and development treaty that was negotiated by Australia, New Zealand and 14 Pacific island countries. Negotiations - sponsored by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) - commenced in Cairns Australia in 2009, and continued until 2017 when the PACER Plus treaty was signed in Nuku'alofa Tonga. Ten of 16 countries (PIF members) signed and ratified the treaty, which entered into force in 2020.

This study begins by identifying the events that led to the commencement of PACER Plus negotiations. Primary parties, other influential parties and the negotiation structure created by these parties are introduced before conducting a detailed examination of negotiation interests, issues and process including the negotiated end-game.

This study offers seven key learnings and takeaways, based on case analysis, outlines the treaty's relevance to the future, and provides policy recommendations that can be acted upon by the governments of Australia and New Zealand. This study concludes that these negotiations did not enhance regional unity, as six Pacific island countries remain outside of PACER Plus. Economic growth and sustainable development, however, may be realised by the eight island countries that joined PACER Plus.

SPEAKER

Larry Crump is currently a Senior Research Fellow within the Griffith Asia Institute, while previously serving the Griffith Business School for 25+ years - lecturing in both international negotiation and comparative management, and serving as Deputy Director of the APEC Study Centre at Griffith University. Larry conducts research on bilateral, regional and multilateral negotiations to support theory that examines negotiation strategy, closure, deadlocks, linkages, turning points, and negotiation framing. In building such theory, Larry has conducted field research in diverse settings including many bilateral (governmental) trade negotiations, numerous regional associations (APEC, EU, Mercosur, Pacific Alliance, Pacific Islands Forum, and the Union for the Mediterranean), and several international organisations (G20, GATT, UN, WTO). Larry's books and articles have received awards from academic associations that are based in both the EU and the USA.


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RSVP

RSVP on or before Thursday 12 September 2024 08.32 am, by email events-gai@griffith.edu.au , or by phone 07 5552 8139 , or via https://events.griffith.edu.au/8kKRrR

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