Dr Mimi Zou attends the EU-Australia Leadership Forum in Brussels

Dr Mimi Zou is attending the EU-Australia Leadership Forum in Brussels this week, a high-level meeting of key European and Australian leaders from government, business, media, education and civil society. The Forum is a cornerstone event of a three-year project funded by the European Union and supported by the Government of Australia, that aims to broaden and deepen the existing ties between the EU and Australia. The event is taking place at a pivotal time for EU-Australia relations, in light of the recent EU-Australia Framework Agreement and negotiations of a comprehensive EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

Mimi Zhou with Australian Ambassador to the EU, His Excellency Justin Brown.
Keynote speakers and special guests at the Forum include: Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission; Justin Brown, Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, Luxembourg and NATO; Elmar Brok, Chair of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee; Herman van Rompuy, former President of the European Council and former President of Belgium; Pascal Lamy, former Director General of the WTO; Reverend Tim Costello, Chief Advocate of World Vision Australia, The Hon Simon Crean, Deputy Chair of the European Australian Business Council; and The Hon Brendan Nelson, Director of the Australian War Memorial.

Dr Zou has been invited to attend the prestigious Forum following a rigorous international selection process. Her expertise on Chinese law and the links between law, economy, politics, and society, both within China and as it affects transnational relations, including EU-Australia relations, has been particularly valuable for the discussions at the Forum. Dr Zou shares her experience of participating in the Forum: “It is a real honour to be part of this Forum, to have the opportunity to work together with senior leaders from diverse sectors to come up with new ideas and policy recommendations in key areas of the EU-Australia relationship, including migration, climate, energy, security, trade, Industry 4.0, digitalisation and innovation. Many of the discussions so far have raised the topic of China’s rise as a global power and the implications for the EU and Australia”.