Former Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Gareth Evans says the US forfeited its role as world leader earlier this month. Against the background of ongoing nuclear risk and the threat of climate change, what comes next?

Chancellor of the Australian National University, Gareth Evans told European and Australian leaders in Sydney last week that by withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and progressively shunning its allies, the US has finally abdicated its global leadership role.

Following his presentation at the EU-Australia Senior and Emerging Leaders’ Forum, Evans spoke with AIIA National Executive Director Melissa Conley Tyler. He said the days when the US led the world in developing international institutions and laws for the advancement of global goods were now over.

Looking ahead, the former president of the Crisis Group identified nuclear weapons as the greatest threat to international security, not for fear of their deliberate use, but because we know how close to catastrophe we have come numerous times through sheer accident.

Professor the Hon Gareth Evans AC QC FAIIA is chancellor of the Australian National University, co-chair of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, was president of the International Crisis Group from 2000-2009, and served as Australia’s foreign minister from 1988–1996.

Interviewed by Melissa Conley Tyler, National Executive Director of the Australian Institute of International Affairs and Team Leader for the EU-Australia Leadership Forum.

Filmed by Cameron Steer.

Edited by Edwina Blackburn.