Policy Paper

Threats, Security and Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific (INDOPAC) region is an increasingly congested space. Congested economically, home to the largest share of fish stock worldwide, featuring most critical maritime trade routes and boasting a large share of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Congested demographically, with the largest share of the world’s population and the highest concentration of mega cities. Congested in terms of threats, both traditional – peer and near-peer confrontation – and non-traditional – illegal activities, non-state armed groups, climate change – affecting regional waters. And, as a result, congested strategically, for indeed all these key features attract a lot of attention from regional and international world powers claiming interests and stakes in the region.

As the world we live in becomes ever more interconnected, with threats in one area posing indirect challenges in another, what does this congested INDOPAC region mean for regional and international actors? With a multitude of countries defending a wide variety of interests and stakes, and therefore drafting INDOPAC strategies that are both at odds and coherent with each other, how can such diversity be reconciled to foster a more free, open and peaceful region? How can international regional actors such as the European Union (EU) and NATO support the development and functioning of INDOPAC regional structures for peace and cooperation?

Bringing together a wide variety of experts from multiple fields and different countries - from Europe, the US and Asia - the Indo-Pacific security conference organised in Hamburg on 5 September 2022 sought, under Chatham House Rule, to find answers to such questions, collaboratively. This document aims to present the main conference findings in the manner of a research paper, focusing more on the what and how rather than the who.