The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit
From 4 to 6 March 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, which was co-chaired by Laos, the 2024 ASEAN Chair and Australia’s ASEAN Country Coordinator. The Special Summit, attended by leaders of ASEAN Member States (except Myanmar) and the leader of Timor-Leste, commemorated 50 years of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations and represented a significant milestone in our shared history. The Leaders’ Program was the centrepiece of the Special Summit, providing a platform for strategic discussions to showcase Australia as a trusted and constructive partner.
The Summit’s theme, “A Partnership for the Future”, laid the groundwork for the next 50 years of ASEAN-Australia relations. The Leaders’ Vision Statement and the Melbourne Declaration outlined Australia and ASEAN’s shared ambitions for the next 50 years of partnership - anchored in friendship and trust - which will see the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership realised in new, deep and diversified engagement. The Special Summit further strengthened our partnerships and cooperation across four priority areas – business, climate and clean energy, maritime, and emerging leaders. The Business Track engaged 100 CEOs from across Australia and Southeast Asia to discuss boosting economic engagement and working together to implement Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 . Prime Minister Albanese announced initiatives to demonstrate Australia is an engaged partner and active participant in the growth and success of the region. They included a $2 billion Southeast
Asia Investment Financing Facility, enhanced visa access, regional technology “Landing Pads” in Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City, and 10 Business Champions to facilitate greater commercial links with regional economies (more on page 8). A new ASEAN-Australia Centre was also announced, marking a significant investment in Australia’s commitment to respond to ASEAN priorities in partnership with the region. The Centre will serve to strengthen business, education, cultural and community connections between Australia and Southeast Asia. The Prime Minister announced an additional $140 million for the Partnerships for Infrastructure program to support infrastructure development and accelerate the policy and regulatory reforms necessary to attract quality infrastructure finance. The first business mission under the Australia-Southeast Asia Business Exchange was confirmed, set to visit Singapore and Malaysia in April 2024. The mission will focus on green energy markets to help Australian business capture opportunities in fast-growing regional markets.
Officials and non-government experts came together in the Maritime Cooperation Track to focus on ways to build further practical maritime cooperation between ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste and Australia, and recognise the benefits of having the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability and prosperity. Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced $64 million over four years, including $40 million in new funding, to enhance Australia’s Southeast Asia Maritime Partnerships. This will support practical maritime activities including skills development, training and technology sharing, reaffirming our commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. In an effort to tackle one of our region’s most pressing challenges, the Climate and Clean Energy Track brought together regional stakeholders to share experiences and collaborate on an accelerated clean energy transition. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen announced additional initiatives to enhance
regional climate and clean energy cooperation. The Government will deliver a $6.9 million Energy Cooperation Package through the Aus4ASEAN Future Initiative, and a new $10 million Climate and Clean Energy Window under the Southeast Asia Government-to- Government Partnerships program. This will support Australian agencies to deepen relationships with regional counterparts, share knowledge and build climate and clean energy capabilities. A further $222.5 million in funding was announced for the Mekong- Australia Partnership to address water security, climate change and transnational crime and support leadership and economic resilience in this important subregion. As part of laying the groundwork for the next 50 years of successful ASEAN-Australia cooperation, the Emerging Leaders’ Track connected the next generation of Southeast Asian and Australian leaders across government, business and civil society to discuss their vision for our region’s future. The Prime Minister announced over 120 new Aus4ASEAN Scholarships and Fellowships commencing
in 2025, which will enable the next generation of leaders from Southeast Asia to come to Australia for study, professional exchanges, short-courses and study tours. Australia and ASEAN will continue to leverage the momentum generated by the Special Summit throughout 2024, ensuring practical implementation of programs and initiatives for our region. As Prime Minister Albanese said, “more than any other region, Southeast Asia is where Australia’s future lies.” More information on the Special Summit can be found at aseanaustralia.pmc.gov.au The Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 can be found at: dfat.gov.au/ southeastasiaeconomicstrategy The Leaders’ Vision Statement can be found at: pm.gov.au/media/ asean-australia-leaders-vision- statement-partners-peace-and- prosperity The Melbourne Declaration can be found at: pm.gov.au/ media/melbourne-declaration- partnership-future
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business envoy
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
business envoy
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