What’s in a Name – where is the power being exerted in the Indo-Pacific region and how are countries responding to that power?

China and the US are the two major players exerting power in the Indo-Pacificf region. Different countries and key regional bodies are providing some new approaches in responding to those powers. China's ongoing global ascendance is continuing to strain the existing structure of relations within the region. While the odds of military conflict between states are low, conflict within states is rising. Many of the new security challenges are transnational in origin and nature, and no nation can combat them alone. Implications for New Zealand’s strategic direction in the region may be significant as it looks at these changing dynamics.

Moderator Professor Steven Ratuva Director of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies

Dewi Fortuna Anwar - Research Professor at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences

Nicholas Khoo - Associate Professor Otago University

Ben Bland - Director, Southeast Asia Program, Lowy Institute

Professor Anne-Marie Brady - Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Canterbury University

How to ensure inclusive growth for all – what happens if we don’t get it right?

Despite decades of economic growth and improving living standards in the Asia Pacific region, the distribution of the economic pie is far from equitable, with negative ramifications for many in terms of access to health, education and economic opportunities. Are there wider policies that can help mitigate this growing gap and restore the social licence around trade agreements? Many Asian and Latin American countries have far to go in making their societies more inclusive to women, ethnic minorities and the LGBTQIA community. How can they move towards greater levels of inclusion and equality? And what is the fate of migrant workers and their communities across the region following the impacts of Covid 19.

Moderator Jerry He - Founding Chairman Asia Pacific MSME Trade Coalition

Kayo Sakey - Chair, NZ Asian Leaders Wellington & Superdiversity Institute Council Member

Jorge Sahd - Director Centre for International Studies, University of Chile

Olivia Shen - Founder and Managing Director - OS Consulting

Teresa Tepania-Ashton - CEO of Maori Women’s Development Incorporated

What is New Zealand’s place in the evolving Asia-Pacific economy? New Zealand’s economic partners – who are they to us and who are we to them?

New Zealand has benefited hugely from trade with the Asia-Pacific region. But many exporters are likely to face tougher environmental and animal welfare market requirements from Asian consumers. A significant number of talented Kiwis have travelled overseas and stayed there leaving a hole in the talent pool within New Zealand. How do we get New Zealand returnees from the Asia-Pacific to return and contribute more to New Zealand? How can NZ stop leaking talent, investment and value to East Asia? How has Covid changed the reputational/competitive position of New Zealand within the Asia-Pacific region and what are the ongoing repercussions of Covid for the many economies in the region?

Moderator Dr Alan Bollard - Professor of Practice at the School of Government

Sarah Salmond - Corporate Partner MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Brad Olsen - Senior Economist and Director at Infometrics

Professor Siah Hwee Ang - Professor of International Business and Strategy at Victoria University

Professor Michael Baker - Professor in the Department of Public Health, University of Otago

Meeting environmental sustainability challenges in the Indo-Pacific

Higher temperatures, sea level rise and extreme weather events linked to climate change are having a major impact on the Indo-Pacific region. They are resulting in harming its economies, natural and physical assets and compounding developmental challenges, including poverty, food, water and energy security and health. Many countries in the region are geographically vulnerable and highly exposed to the damaging impacts of climate change. Is enough being done to manage the enormous impacts ahead? The increased volume of COVID-19 medical waste, particularly from single-use plastics and their improper management, could intensify environmental degradation in the region. Who should take the lead to kickstart processes for slowing down these impacts as the battle with COVID-19 continues to affect countries in the region?

Moderator Jay Marlowe - Associate Professor and co-Director of the Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies

Ryley Webster - Operations Manager VSA

Her Excellency Nina Obermaier - Ambassador of the European Union to New Zealand

Professor Andreas Neef - Professor in Development Studies at University of Auckland

Dr Sung-Young Kim - Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Macquarie University

Regional fault lines and flash points and New Zealand’s role

Human security is essential to growth and prosperity and economic stability enables better preparation for and more efficient responses to, attacks or disasters. Security challenges in Asia include military tensions around flash-points such as the South China Sea, Taiwan Straits and the Korean Peninsula. Are the regional cooperation organisations and agreements sufficient to face not only security threats but other threats as well? How are Australia and New Zealand working together and separately in the region regarding security issues and humanitarian activities?

Moderator Professor Robert Patman - Professor of International Relations, University of Otago

Dr Oriana Skylar Mastro - Center Fellow at Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI)

Nguyen Khac Giang - Vietnamese writer and researcher and PhD candidate Victoria University

Dr Huong Le Thu - Senior Analyst at Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra

Dr Reuben Steff - Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of Waikato

How will the Asia-Pacific economy grow and trade in the future, and what is APEC’s role?

The World Bank has estimated almost 50 million people will fall back into extreme poverty as a result of Covid-19. With digital advancements for some and digital exclusion for others, how are countries managing these changes and challenges? Does the Asia-Pacific region have a future as a coherent geo-economic region and are institutions like APEC and ASEAN enough to keep it relevant? Can New Zealand balance its East Asian and Western bloc interests and how important will RCEP be for trade and regional integration? With many Maori-based industries developing stronger economic ties with Asia are there lessons for the wider New Zealand economy in how to better diversify from a commodity-led exporter to a higher value-based exporter?

Moderator Professor Natasha Hamilton-Hart - Director NZ Asia Institute and Professor at University of Auckland

Associate Professor Rob Scollay - Director of NZ APEC Study Centre, University of Auckland

Stephanie Honey - Associate Director, New Zealand International Business Forum

Nikora Ngaporo - Founder of Nikora Ngaropo Media Design (NNMD)

Gabrielle Armstrong Scott 2021-2022 Graham T. Allison Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

Dr Capie will provide closing remarks for the conference with some valuable insights for New Zealand going forwards.