Bilateral Minerals and Energy Cooperation with the United States of America
Australia engages bilaterally with the US on resource and energy matters through the Australia-United States High Level Group (HLG) on Energy Cooperation and Innovation. The HLG arose out of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Energy Sector signed in November 2003.
The HLG provides a framework for the exchange of information and views on developments in the energy and minerals field including: energy policies; market trends; trade; investment; and technology.
The third HLG meeting was held in Washington DC in January 2010. The Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, Minister for Resources and Energy and the Hon Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy, jointly opened the senior officials meeting. The focus of discussions at this meeting included: trade and investment trends, clean energy technologies and multilateral energy engagement.
A HLG meeting via video-conference was held on 7 January 2011 to review the action items arising from the 2010 HLG, and to identify opportunities for further Australia-US bilateral resources and energy cooperation.
The next HLG will be hosted by Australia via videoconference in 2012.