In a significant milestone, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will host leaders of ASEAN and Timor-Leste for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne from Monday, March 4th to Wednesday, March 6th.
The year 2024 marks 50 year’s of golden jubilee of the partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia.
“Australia is proud to be ASEAN’s first Dialogue Partner, sharing 50 years of mutual respect and cooperation with our friends in Southeast Asia,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated.
Australia has strong and far-reaching ties with the region. As a bloc, ASEAN is Australia’s second largest two-way trading partner. More than one million Australians have Southeast Asian heritage.
During the Special Summit, Leaders will discuss bolstering ASEAN- Australia cooperation, vision for the region’s future and how to work together to address shared challenges.
At the same time, a focus of the discussions Will be on Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. Likewise a blueprint for stepping up Australia’s economic links with the region, launched by Prime Minister Albanese in September last year.
Preceding the Leaders’ engagement, there will be a range of meetings and events across four thematic Tracks that will bring together Australians and Southeast Asian business and community leaders, experts and academicians.
On the other hand, leaders will discuss how to boost economic engagement, Supporting an accelerated clean energy transition, Increasing practical maritime cooperation; and Supporting the region’s current crop of emerging leaders.
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Leaders Attending the ASEAN- Australia Summit
In addition to the Special Summit, Prime Minister Albanese will host official Guests of Government programs with a number of Southeast Asian leaders.
Some of the leaders include Ferdinand Marcos Jr, President of the Philippines; The Hon Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia; Mr Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR; and HE Mr Pham Minh Chfnh, Prime Minister of Vietnam.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister will also hold the Australia-Singapore Annual Leaders Meeting with the Prime Minister of Singapore, HE Mr Lee Hsien Loong. He will have bilateral meetings with the leaders of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Timor-Leste and with the ASEAN Secretary-General.
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A Half-Century of Collaboration
The relationship between ASEAN and Australia has evolved significantly since its inception in 1974. What began as a modest dialogue partnership has blossomed into a multifaceted collaboration spanning economic, political, and socio-cultural domains.
ASEAN and Australia over the decades have navigated regional challenges, fostered economic integration, and deepened people-to-people ties. This enduring partnership has been characterized by mutual respect, shared interests, and a commitment to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region
ASEAN-Australia Special Summit stands as a testament to the enduring partnership between ASEAN member states and Australia. As they celebrate 50 years of collaboration, leaders will reaffirm their commitment to working together to address regional challenges, seize opportunities, and build a brighter future for generations to come.