United States-Australia Sixth Energy Security Dialogue

On March 8, 2024, Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) hosted a delegation from the United States in Canberra for the sixth bilateral Energy Security Dialogue. Deputy Secretaries Jo Evans and Simon Duggan (DCCEEW) led Australia’s delegation, which included representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR). Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt (Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Energy Resources, Department of State) and Dr. Andrew Light (Assistant Secretary, Office of International Affairs, Department of Energy) co-led the U.S. delegation.

To realize our shared commitment to elevate climate and clean energy cooperation to the third pillar of our alliance, as set forth by leaders in May 2023 through the Climate, Critical Minerals and Clean Energy Transformation Compact, senior officials decided on a revised Terms of Reference for the Energy Security Dialogue.  Senior officials also discussed progress towards the implementation of key initiatives under the Compact.

Reflecting our shared ambition to increase two-way trade and investment flows in clean energy industries, senior officials decided to progress cooperation under the Net Zero Technology Acceleration Partnership on grid modernization and energy storage.  Senior officials acknowledged the establishment of the Battery Supply Chain and Research Working Group to deepen both countries’ manufacturing capability and work on battery technology research and development.  Officials discussed the potential to expand our cooperation on clean energy supply chains to other clean energy sectors.

Officials noted progress in our efforts to shape the global conditions that will improve the competitiveness of Australian and U.S. clean energy industries, including through planning for the inaugural Australia-United States Clean Energy Industry Council to have a sectoral focus, commencing with hydrogen.  Officials also noted the commencement of discussions on a Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

Australia and the United States are committed to supporting climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience in the Indo-Pacific, including through action to support initiatives focused on assisting women in the Pacific in the energy transition. Senior officials intend to explore greater Australia-U.S. cooperation to support resilience in the Pacific, including by working through Pacific-led regional architecture. The United States confirmed it plans to provide USD $1.5 million to the Pacific Community (SPC) to support the implementation of the Pacific Energy and Gender Strategic Action Plan.  Australia would look at ways to support this initiative, including through its SPC funded Pacific Women Lead program and other investments in SPC.

Two years on since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the United States and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine. Officials noted in particular the profound challenge of rebuilding Ukraine and to repair, restore and defend its energy infrastructure. Officials agreed to continue working closely with the Ukrainian Government, multilateral organizations and international financial institutions in support of Ukraine’s recovery. In this regard, Australia welcomed the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) work with Ukraine on reconstruction toward a clean energy future through Ukraine’s participation in DOE’s Net Zero World initiative. The United States will continue to coordinate with likeminded partners to help Ukraine realize its vision of a modern, cleaner, more decentralized energy system that is integrated with Europe.

Officials agreed to convene the Australia-United States Energy Security Dialogue again in 2025 in the United States.