This weekend Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is attending the 2nd Annual ASEAN-Australia Summit and the 17th East Asian Summit (EAS) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The Prime Minister’s attendance at the summits demonstrates the Government’s commitment to deepening our engagement with Southeast Asia and addressing the shared challenges facing our region.
At today’s 2nd Annual ASEAN-Australia Summit, the Prime Minister reiterated Australia’s commitment to working with ASEAN to address shared challenges including food and energy security, climate change and regional stability.
The Prime Minister and ASEAN Leaders issued a Joint Statement on Cooperation under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) outlining their aspirations for the region Australia shares with ASEAN – one that is stable, peaceful, resilient and prosperous.
During the Summit, the Prime Minister articulated his Government’s commitment to deepening engagement with Southeast Asia including through the appointment of eminent Australian business leader, Nicholas Moore, to lead development of the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which will set out a pathway to strengthen Australia’s economic engagement with the region.
The Prime Minister also proposed to ASEAN leaders that Australia host a Commemorative Summit in 2024, to mark the 50th anniversary of Australia’s dialogue partnership with ASEAN. Australia was ASEAN’s first dialogue partner in 1974.
At tomorrow’s East Asia Summit, the Prime Minister will reaffirm Australia’s steadfast support for ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led architecture, and discuss key strategic issues with regional leaders, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, the region’s energy transition and climate action, and food security.
Alongside the Summit, Prime Minister Albanese is also holding bilateral meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Prime Minister Chinh of Vietnam, Prime Minister Phankham of Laos and Foreign Minister Kuleba of Ukraine.
The Prime Minister will travel next to Bali, Indonesia to attend the G20 Bali Summit.
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said:
“The Indo-Pacific, with ASEAN at its centre, is pivotal to global prosperity and security. I was pleased to meet with Australia’s regional neighbours here in Phnom Penh to discuss the challenges we face and our shared ambitions for our region.”
“My Government is committed to working with our Southeast Asian regional partners on the issues that matter to us all – food and energy security, a net zero future and our collective prosperity and resilience.’
“I thank Prime Minister Hun Sen for his hosting of these Summits. ASEAN and Australia are neighbours and friends, linked by both geography and choice.”
“Deepening engagement with Southeast Asia is a key priority for my Government. We want to maximise the significant trade, investment and other economic opportunities for Australia and our region, and enhance our people-to-people ties.”