03/06/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/06/2024 00:35
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Timor-Leste have reaffirmed their commitment to securing peace, stability, prosperity and a sustainable future for the region.
Prime Minister Albanese hosted the leaders of the Lao PDR, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste in Melbourne at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.
Themed "A Partnership for the Future", the Summit marked 50 years since Australia became ASEAN's first Dialogue Partner.
Leaders committed to working together to address shared challenges while embracing opportunities that will benefit all who live in our region.
Prime Minister Albanese and ASEAN Leaders adopted the ASEAN-Australia Joint Leaders' Vision Statement and the Melbourne Declaration which set out the next 50 years of our enduring partnership to promote an open, inclusive and transparent region with ASEAN at the centre.
Leaders set out their shared aspirations for the region's future, committing to work together to contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability, as well as enhance cooperation for sustainable development and prosperity in the region. They identified areas of practical cooperation for the future, ranging from deepening economic and socio-cultural ties to strengthening educational and environmental cooperation. These outcomes reinforce Australia's commitment to Southeast Asia and ASEAN - now, and into the future.
In line with Australia's deep and enduring ties with ASEAN and the priority the Government places on building stronger partnerships with Southeast Asia, today Prime Minister Albanese announced:
During the Special Summit, the Prime Minister reiterated Australia's commitment to deepening two-way trade and investment with ASEAN to drive growth that creates jobs and realises economic benefits for all people in the region. The Albanese Government announced a number of initiatives to implement key recommendations from Invested: Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, launched last year:
The Albanese Government also announced the extension of initiatives to support the clean energy transition and practical maritime cooperation, including:
"It has been an honour to host leaders from ASEAN and Timor-Leste in Melbourne as we mark 50 years of partnership between ASEAN and Australia.
"ASEAN binds our region together and I can say with confidence that our partnership has never been stronger or more consequential to our mutual prosperity and to the stability of the region we call home.
"Australia is committed to being an exemplary partner to the countries of Southeast Asia - we will continue to be constructive, and to engage with respect, honesty and trust, and, importantly, to listen.
"ASEAN and Australia's economies are deeply intertwined. We want to play a bigger role in Southeast Asia's pursuit of economic opportunity, development, and growth.
"My Government has made serious, sustained and consistent international engagement a priority - working together with our friends and partners to shape the future we want to see."