On 8-9 April 2024, Australia and the United Kingdom (UK) held the
inaugural Strategic Innovation Dialogue (the Dialogue) in London.
This put into practice the commitments made under the Innovation
chapter of the Australia- UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the
first such chapter in the world.
Dr. Carolyn Patteson, Head of International, Trade and National
Security, of the Department of Industry, Science, and Resources
(DISR) and Dr Gaynor Jeffery OBE, Director for Core Policy,
Delivery and European Region at Department for Business and Trade
(DBT) co-chaired on behalf of Australia and the UK respectively.
Discussions focused on priority areas such as future health,
future power, and standards and interoperability of emerging
technologies, with a view to encouraging further science,
research, commercialisation and trade collaboration in these key
areas.
The Dialogue supports and facilitates trade between two of the
world's most pioneering economies in innovative goods and
services, encouraging the development and adoption of emerging
technologies and increasing engagement in science, innovation,
technology and related sectors, opening a new chapter of
cooperation that will shape our economies for years to come.
It comes at a significant juncture, when both countries are
looking to strengthen and diversify global supply chains, manage
a transition to net zero emissions and ensure robust systems of
governance to support the responsible and safe use of critical
technologies including Artificial Intelligence - all in support
of economic growth and job creation.
- On Future Health, discussions focused on strategies for
commercialising innovation in biotechnology, highlighting
advances in complex precision medicines and materials technology.
Both sides outlined their existing health research networks and
agreed to explore the potential for a ‘biobridge' between our
countries to expedite new and innovative medicines, diagnostics,
and therapeutics to market.
- On Battery manufacturing, a visit to the UK Battery
Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) enabled direct learning on the
opportunities and challenges in developing and trading these
innovative goods. Following discussions over respective National
approaches, both sides acknowledged further opportunities to
deepen cooperation.
- On Offshore Wind, after comparing strategies and new
innovations in floating offshore wind technology, there was joint
commitment to identify collaborative opportunities to address
supply chain constraints and to continue facilitating connections
between policy makers to progress development of floating
offshore wind policy.
- On standards and interoperability of emerging technologies,
both countries acknowledged the importance of harmonising
standards to bolster consumer trust, support sectoral growth and
to facilitate trade in AI-enabled goods. Building on discussions
hosted by the UK in 2023 at the AI Safety Summit in Bletchley
Park, Australia and the UK reaffirmed the importance of working
together toward safe and responsible AI, including in key
international forums, to develop the international standards
necessary to secure consumer trust and industry confidence in
emerging sectors.
Australia and the UK welcomed cooperation between respective
standards bodies in support of trade outcomes and committed to
monitor their regulatory frameworks for new technologies to
ensure they do not emerge as technical barriers to trade. This
includes facilitating alignment on the adoption of interoperable
tools for trustworthy AI, such as assurance techniques and
international technical standards. Both countries welcomed
the work already underway between respective agencies on
autonomous vehicles.
Australia and the UK look forward to the opportunity to continue
to strengthen the relationship between both countries by
supporting trade in innovative goods and services, improving the
connections between our respective systems and progressing joint
work programmes catalysed by the Dialogue.
The next Strategic Innovation Dialogue will be held in Australia
in 2026.
