Issue 15. 6 October 2008 - UWA Staff - The University of Western ...

First steps in a tango
Ambassadors from Argentina,
Brazil and Mexico took the first
steps in a potentially fruitful
relationship between our State
and their region by speaking at a
seminar at UWA.
The seminar highlighted areas of
common interest such as water and
resources; wine and food; and mining
and engineering.
The Ambassador of Brazil, Fernando
de Mello-Barreto, approached UWA to host the seminar, the first of what is expected
to be a series of meetings.
Greg Ivey, Professor of Environmental Systems Engineering at UWA, and Ian
Longson, Director General of the Department of Agriculture and Food Western
Australia, led the first session where water resources research and management,
industry development, and trade and policy development were discussed.
Mexican Ambassador Martha Ortiz de Rosas, who chaired the session, emphasised
the importance of the mining industry in her country, and the possibilities for
collaboration in trade, investment, technology and services.
“We found that WA and Mexico shared similarities in agriculture and that we also face
similar challenges in water and climate change,” she said. “Beyond those sectors
where our economies may complement each other, WA and Mexico could forge joint
ventures or alliances in those areas where we may be competitors in order to
strengthen our role in the global economy.”
Professor Kadambot Siddique, Chair in Agriculture and Director of the Institute of
Agriculture, and Kate Lamont, Chair of WA Tourism, chef and restaurateur, led the
second session where climate change, escalating input costs, rapid demand growth,
declining natural resources, and restrictive trade policies were discussed.
Argentinian Ambassador Pedro Villagra-Delgado chaired the panel discussion
following the presentations. “Agriculture, wine and food, as well as mining, science
and technology, are areas where Argentina and WA share common interests and
experiences and where complementary activities are possible. We could both learn
from each other,” he said.
Tim Shanahan, Director of UWA’s
Energy and Minerals Initiative, and Kim
Horne, Director for Human Resources
and Environment, Alcoa World Alumina
Australia, led the final session whose
panel discussion was led by
Ambassador de Mello-Barreto.
It was agreed that Latin America and
Australia shared a wealth of natural
resources and also faced many of the
same challenges, including labour
shortages, costs of mining exploration,
and the need for alternative energy
sources.
“I thank The University of Western
Australia for their leadership in hosting
this important seminar. I hope the links
forged will result in the growth of a
fruitful exchange of ideas, investment
and trade,” Ambassador de Mello-
Barreto said.
Latin America and
Australia share a
wealth of natural
resources and
also face many of
the same
challenges …
labour shortages,
costs of mining
exploration, and
the need for
alternative energy
sources.
Latin American wetlands
The University of Western Australia UWA NEWS 6 October 2008 11