Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, met regional leaders yesterday at the Annual ASEAN-Australia Summit and today at the East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Laos.
Both forums are critical for promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and for building Australia’s trade links in the region and creating jobs and economic growth at home.
The Prime Minister met leaders from China, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Canada and New Zealand in the sidelines of the summits.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of relations between ASEAN and Australia.
At the ASEAN-Australia Summit, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to ASEAN centrality and to building Australia’s links with Southeast Asia. He highlighted progress delivering outcomes from the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit held in Melbourne in March, noting Southeast Asia’s economic prosperity is critical to Australia’s growth and jobs.
At the East Asia Summit – the Indo-Pacific's premier forum for strategic dialogue – Prime Minister Albanese emphasised that dialogue and a strong ASEAN underpins regional stability, helps prevent conflict, and reinforces rules, norms and international law.
Prime Minister Albanese also participated in a meeting of the Asia Zero Emission Community, hosted by Prime Minister Ishiba of Japan, where leaders recognised the need for regional efforts to accelerate decarbonisation and ensure energy security through the transition to net zero. The Prime Minister updated regional leaders on Australia's progress towards achieving net zero.
In Vientiane, the Prime Minister hosted an event attended by the Prime Minister of Vietnam His Excellency Mr Pham Minh Chính, Australia’s Special Envoy for Southeast Asia Mr Nicholas Moore AO, and Southeast Asian and Australian business representatives.
The Prime Minister highlighted the strong progress made over the past twelve months in implementing Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. The event also involved Australian delegates taking part in an investment mission to Thailand and Laos – one of many business missions to have taken place since the launch of the Strategy.
The Prime Minister thanked Laos for being the 2024 ASEAN Chair. He announced Australia had committed an additional $4.5 million to Monash University’s World Mosquito Program to assist in the elimination of dengue fever in Laos.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“Australia has been an ASEAN partner for 50 years, longer than any other country.
“Maintaining peace and stability takes work and Australia will keep working with our partners towards a peaceful, stable and prosperous region with ASEAN at the centre.
"When our region prospers, Australia prospers, which is why deepening economic engagement through our Southeast Asia Economic Strategy remains a priority for my Government.
"We have delivered on 47 of the recommendations made under the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy over the past year, and will continue delivering for Australia and the region.
"I congratulate Prime Minister Sonexay on Laos' ASEAN Chairmanship this year and look forward to continuing work with our ASEAN partners.
“I wish Malaysia success as it takes on the ASEAN Chair for 2025."