Australia will partner with the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence to help strengthen NATO’s capacity to address hybrid threats and to counter disinformation.
The Centre, based in Riga, Latvia, is a multinational organisation whose mission is to carry out research, analysis and training, and develop technical expertise, in order to build the strategic communications capabilities of NATO, NATO allies and NATO partners.
Australia will initially contribute to research conducted at the Centre through a seconded Australian official who will arrive in May. Australia has also begun the process of becoming a longer term contributing partner of the Centre.
The importance of improving strategic communications has been underscored by Russia’s use of disinformation and propaganda during its illegal and unprovoked war against Ukraine. I discussed these challenges today with the NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg.
Australia’s cooperation with the Centre will deepen our insights into the strategic communications and security challenges facing NATO, NATO Allies and partners, and reinforce Australia’s support for NATO. We will offer the Centre a clear-eyed view of the geostrategic dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and implications for NATO.
Australia is an Enhanced Opportunities Partner of NATO, under which we work together on interoperability, take part in some NATO military training and exercise programs, and share views on issues of mutual interest.
Australia’s engagement also highlights our strong bilateral relationship with Latvia and our shared commitment to democracy, human rights, and the international rules-based order.
The Australian Government looks forward to working with our partners in the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence to combat the scourge of disinformation and other hybrid threats.