This seminar investigates the shift from large, consensus driven multilateral processes to compact minilateral arrangements that promise speed, focus, and higher trust among like minded members in the Indo-Pacific. The conversation surveys the drivers behind this change, including capability asymmetries, veto risks in big tents, and demand for practical outcomes in critical and emerging technology, maritime security, resilient supply chains, and infrastructure finance. Presenters compare governance models, decision rules, and accountability practices across several minilateral formats and then analyze how these clubs interact with established regional institutions. The group discusses benefits for middle powers that can leverage targeted partnerships to close capability gaps, as well as risks such as exclusion, duplication, and fragmentation of standards. A policy segment examines participation strategies, issue based alignment, and role design for small membership groups, including how to preserve transparency and openness for broader regional buy in. The seminar highlights tools that help convert political intent into implementation, such as shared project pipelines, joint training, and interoperable data platforms. It also considers how domestic agencies can organize for agility while maintaining whole of government coherence. Finally, participants identify metrics to track whether minilateral initiatives complement multilateral agendas on development, climate action, and crisis response rather than displacing them. The goal is to provide an actionable framework for engaging minilateralism in ways that support national interests, regional stability, and inclusive growth.
