While signing a new climate and clean energy deal, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with US President Joe Biden outside of the G7 summit in Japan.
Biden said the deal marked an enlargement of the relationship between Australia and the United States before pen met paper on the declaration of intent to advance the two countries’ climate cooperation.
“This statement of intent is a testament to our close, bilateral cooperation. I mean that – close,” Biden said.
“We’re going to establish climate and clean energy as the third pillar of the Australia-US Alliance.
“This contract can enable the expansion and diversification of clean energy supply chains, especially as it relates to critical materials.”
Climate, according to Albanese, is a key component of defense cooperation in the Pacific.
“Many of our neighbours understand that climate change is an existential threat,” he said.
“And what we understand is that it’s an important component of our national security, and that’s why it is an important component, an essential part of our alliance.”
According to a joint statement from the two presidents, the agreement struck that day enhanced Australia and the USA’s partnership in response to “evolving challenges”.
“We are taking urgent action to elevate global climate ambition, accelerate the global clean energy transition, and support mitigation, adaptation and resilience efforts in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” the statement said.
“The compact affirms the position of climate and clean energy as the third pillar of the alliance, alongside our defence and economic cooperation.”
The US president withdrew from next week’s now-cancelled conference in Sydney, so Biden and Albanese are preparing for a temporary summit of the Quad leaders in Japan as they prepare for their bilateral meeting in Hiroshima.
“The Quad leaders’ summit in Hiroshima will demonstrate the Quad’s enduring contribution to the development, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific through its positive, practical agenda,” the joint statement from Albanese and Biden said.
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