The Indo-Pacific, an emerging paradigm for peace, cooperation, sustainable development and mutual prosperity

ABSTRACT The Indo-Pacific (IP) is a construct of contested interpretation in terms of its geo-spatiality, but there is growing consensus that it extends from the East coast of Africa to the Western shores of the Americas, inclusive of the Pacific Island states. The IP is today the nucleus of the emerging global order. Major countries, including the USA, Japan, India, France, Germany and Australia, as well as the EU and ASEAN have articulated views on the IP. The IP is characterized by cooperation and contestation given its strategic geo-political and geo-economic centrality, as a growing number of rivalries is manifesting amongst established and emerging powers. Cooperation to enhance sustainable development must take precedence in the region to create a more equitable global community underpinned by a rules-based order committed to addressing the triple challenges of poverty, underdevelopment and inequality. This paper will focus on five areas that can contribute to a peaceful and prosperous IP: 1. A rules based open and inclusive IP, 2. Traditional and non-traditional security challenges 3. Free and open trade, including connectivity and digitalization 4. Environmental security and climate change 5. Sustainable development and a people-centered IP. Finally, the paper will offer a perspective on Africa and the IP.