Today I am pleased welcome Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, to Adelaide for the fifth Australia-Malaysia Annual Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AFMM).
I was born in Malaysia, and as Australia’s Foreign Minister it is a privilege to host the AFMM in my hometown of Adelaide. Australia is a multicultural and diverse nation, home to more than 172,000 Malaysian born people.
Australia and Malaysia are close friends and partners. Our strong partnership is grounded in a shared history of friendship and cooperation, and people to people ties.
The AFMM provides an opportunity to enhance bilateral engagement under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This includes advancing our trade and investment, green economy, education, and science and innovation ties, and our cooperation on defence and regional security, including under the Five Power Defence Arrangements.
I look forward to building on the discussions I had with Foreign Minister Zambry in Kuala Lumpur in February. We share an interest in a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Australia is committed to working with Malaysia to support ASEAN’s vital contribution to regional peace and security.
This is the first time the AFMM has been held in Adelaide. Foreign Minister Zambry’s visit coincides with celebrations to mark 50 years of sister city relations between Adelaide and George Town, Penang.