Report on the AUKUS Treaty’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary: UK-Australia Partnership and Global Goal Alignment

A new 50-year AUKUS treaty between the United Kingdom and Australia has been established to enhance defence capabilities, economic prosperity, and global security. This report analyses the treaty’s direct contributions to several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on its impact on economic growth, industry, peace, and international partnerships.

Fostering Economic Growth and Decent Work (SDG 8)

The AUKUS submarine programme is a significant driver for economic growth and job creation, directly supporting the objectives of SDG 8. Key economic impacts include:

• Job Creation: The initiative is projected to create over 7,000 new high-skilled jobs in UK shipyards and across the supply chain. At its peak, the programme will employ over 21,000 people in the UK, fostering economic opportunities in local communities.
• Export and Trade Growth: The treaty is expected to generate up to £20 billion in export value for the UK over the next 25 years, strengthening the £23 billion annual trade relationship with Australia.
• Long-Term Economic Stability: The decades-long programme provides a stable foundation for sustained economic activity and investment in the defence sector.

Advancing Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)

The partnership catalyses investment in resilient infrastructure and promotes inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, in line with SDG 9.

1. Industrial Capacity Enhancement: The treaty underpins a major enhancement of both nations’ industrial capacity, with billions of pounds invested in key industrial hubs like Barrow and Derby.
2. Technological Innovation: The collaboration extends to developing innovative technology, including advancements in robotics and autonomous systems, as demonstrated in joint exercises with partners like Japan.
3. Infrastructure Investment: The programme necessitates significant investment in cutting-edge industrial infrastructure to build and maintain conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines (SSN-AUKUS).

Promoting Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

A central objective of the AUKUS treaty is to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels to promote peaceful and inclusive societies.

• Strengthening Global Security: The partnership is designed to reinforce global security by protecting a free and open Indo-Pacific, deterring threats, and maintaining regional stability.
• Protecting Maritime Commons: A key mission is the protection of vital international trade routes, safeguarding the global commons in alignment with international law and contributing to SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
• Establishing a Long-Term Institutional Framework: The 50-year treaty establishes a durable institutional partnership for peace and security, demonstrating a long-term commitment to collaborative defence.

Strengthening Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development (SDG 17)

The AUKUS agreement exemplifies the spirit of SDG 17 by revitalising global partnerships for sustainable development through multi-stakeholder collaboration.

1. Trilateral Partnership: The core of the initiative is the strategic defence partnership between the UK, Australia, and the United States.
2. Bilateral Engagement: The annual “Australia-UK Ministerial” (AUKMIN) meetings drive forward collaboration across trade, investment, and security.
3. Multinational Cooperation: The UK’s Carrier Strike Group participates in large-scale military exercises, such as Exercise Talisman Sabre, which involves over 35,000 personnel from 19 nations, strengthening interoperability and collective security.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article on the AUKUS treaty and the UK-Australia defence partnership touches upon several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on economic growth, industrial development, peace, and international cooperation.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article heavily emphasizes the economic benefits of the AUKUS treaty, directly linking the defence partnership to job creation and economic prosperity. It repeatedly mentions the generation of new jobs and the potential for significant export revenue, which are central themes of SDG 8.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The development and construction of advanced, nuclear-powered submarines (SSN-AUKUS) represent a significant undertaking in industrial development and technological innovation. The article highlights investment in shipyards, enhancing industrial capacity, and developing innovative defence technologies, all of which align with the objectives of SDG 9.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

  The fundamental purpose of the AUKUS treaty, as described in the article, is to enhance security and maintain stability. By forming a defence partnership to “protect our seas,” “strengthen global security,” and “deter those who undermine global security,” the initiative directly addresses the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies through strong international and national institutions.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The entire article is a testament to SDG 17. The AUKUS partnership is a multi-national collaboration between the UK, Australia, and the United States. The article also mentions collaboration with other nations like Japan and participation in large-scale international military exercises, underscoring the importance of global partnerships to achieve common security and economic goals.

Specific Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances. The article supports this by mentioning the treaty will “catalyse growth for both our countries” and generate “up to £20 billion exports potential.”
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The focus on a high-tech defence industry, “developing innovative technology,” and using “robotics and autonomous systems” aligns with this target.
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. The article directly addresses this by stating the program will “create over 7,000 new jobs” and support “over 21,000 people working on the… AUKUS submarine programme.”

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization. The article points to this by describing how the treaty will “enhance both nations’ industrial capacity” and support jobs “in UK shipyards and across the supply chain.”
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors. The development of “conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered AUKUS submarine programme (known as SSN-AUKUS)” is a clear example of upgrading technological capabilities.
   • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation. The entire AUKUS initiative is framed as a way to “develop innovative technology” and maintain “cutting-edge capabilities.”

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions… to build capacity at all levels… to prevent violence. The AUKUS treaty is a mechanism to strengthen the defence institutions of the UK and Australia to “safeguard global trade routes and maintain regional stability.”

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. The AUKUS partnership itself is a “strategically significant new defence partnership” that exemplifies this target.
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The treaty is a formal public partnership between governments to achieve shared security and economic objectives.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

1. For SDG 8 Targets:

   • Indicator for Target 8.1: The monetary value of exports, stated as “up to £20 billion to the UK in exports over the next 25 years,” and the value of the annual trade relationship, “£23 billion per year annual trade relationship with Australia.”
   • Indicator for Target 8.5: The number of jobs created. The article specifies this will “create over 7,000 new jobs” and that “over 21,000 people” will be working on the program at its peak.

2. For SDG 9 Targets:

   • Indicator for Target 9.2: Investment in industrial infrastructure, implied by the “billions of pounds already invested in Barrow, Derby and beyond.”
   • Indicator for Target 9.5 & 9.b: The successful development and deployment of the SSN-AUKUS submarines and the integration of “robotics and autonomous systems” in defence systems.

3. For SDG 16 Targets:

   • Indicator for Target 16.a: The formal signing and implementation of the “new UK-Australia AUKUS treaty.” The deployment of the “Carrier Strike Group” and participation in joint military exercises like “Exercise Talisman Sabre” serve as indicators of institutional strengthening and cooperation.

4. For SDG 17 Targets:

   • Indicator for Target 17.16 & 17.17: The establishment and continuation of the AUKUS partnership and the holding of annual “Australia-UK Ministerial” (AUKMIN) meetings to drive collaboration.

Summary of Findings

Source: miragenews.com