This paper is the first in a two-part series on the Net-Zero Challenge, which assesses the state of global climate action through the lens of corporations, governments, and civil society. While there are clear signs of incremental progress, climate action needs to move at a much greater scale and faster pace.

This report examines how Pacific island countries (PICs) and Indian Ocean island states (IO island states) are managing and prioritising their maritime security challenges. These islands, which the authors refer to as the ‘Indo-Pacific island states’, face an intricate offshore tapestry, with the report suggesting an increased level of maritime threats.

In recent weeks, the media and policymakers in South Asia and beyond have closely followed developments pertaining to the Kartarpur Corridor. The Corridor, opened despite tensions between India and Pakistan over the past year, was inaugurated on 9 November by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Imran Khan, on their respective sides of the India-Pakistan border.

This paper outlines proposals for a new model of international cooperation as a means of building a positive-sum system capable of better responding to environmental breakdown. Using the United Kingdom as a case study, the paper explores the role one nation can play in helping build this system globally.

This evaluation finds that Australia has provided strong and sustained leadership on ending violence against women and girls (EVAWG), and has been a leading program donor. Overall, the approaches used have aligned with best practice and made a significant contribution to EVAWG in the Indo-Pacific.