Australia

There's nothing quite like getting together with Greens from 11 different countries across the Asia Pacific region to remind you that you're part of a global movement. During May, 22 delegates from Green parties across Asia Pacific spent 10 days in Sydney and the sub-tropical north of the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The delegates were learning first hand from the Australian and NSW Greens on our own experiences over the past 30 years. Our exchanges amongst the 12 men and 10 women from 11 countries discussed how we and they develop policies, plan election campaigns, the common issues we address through our campaigning, and the importance of building infrastructure and procedures in emerging parties... In turn we also learnt of the challenges and experiences delegates from these countries face within their own political systems and circumstances.

A Global Greens statement was produced to coincide with the Paris Agreement signing ceremony which took place in New York in April. The Global Greens campaign invited Green members in national parliaments to identify one fossil fuel reserve to leave in the ground and at least one fossil fuel subsidy to abolish or phase out and take legislative action accordingly. We also invited national Green Parties to submit their particular initiatives and to put out a press release on the day. No fracking said UK Caroline Lucas MP, no new coal or expanded coal or CSG said Australia’s Senator Richard Di Natale, and the complete transformation of the transport sector said German MPs. We are the only political party that is truly global in reach. It is an achievement to celebrate and a structure to use and improve. Our efforts to organise and demonstrate that we are greater than the sum of our parts is in its infancy. It reinforces our shared values and commitment when we campaign together or celebrate together Green wins on policy or in elections. But we don’t do it enough. Global outcomes need global action.