Delegates take souvenir photos.

On August 12, the ASEAN Committee in Canberra (ACC) solemnly held a reception to celebrate the 57th anniversary of ASEAN Day (August 8, 1967 - August 8, 2024) and 50 years of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations at the Realm Hotel, Canberra.

Governor-General of Australia, Ms Sam Mostyn, was the guest of honour at the event. Speaking at the event, Ms Sam Mostyn said that over the past 50 years, as ASEAN's first Dialogue Partner and through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Australia has worked with ASEAN to strengthen peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

According to Ms Sam Mostyn, the Special Summit in Melbourne in March 2024 marks 50 years of relations between Australia and ASEAN. The outcome of the Summit demonstrates the commitment to continued cooperation between the two sides. Australia is excited to welcome the opportunities that lie ahead for the region and wishes to accompany it on this journey. The Summit is a promise for today and tomorrow.

Philippine Ambassador, Ms. Hellen B. De Le Vega, rotating chair of ACC, said that ASEAN is an important trading partner of Australia and is eager to expand cooperation in areas such as digital economy and green transformation, strengthening infrastructure, institutions and connecting people in the region.

Ms. Hellen B. De Le Vega emphasized that ACC will continue to promote dialogue and support initiatives, including the newly established ASEAN-Australia Center, to further deepen economic, educational, cultural and people-to-people cooperation between Australia and the Southeast Asian region.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam and many officials from the Embassies of 10 ASEAN countries and Embassies of countries participating in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) attended the party with nearly 200 guests from Australian agencies and organizations such as the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Assembly, Business Associations, etc.

Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn and Ambassador Pham Hung Tam.

Speaking with the Governor-General of Australia at the ceremony, Ambassador Pham Hung Tam thanked the Governor-General for her interest in supporting the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in particular and Australia-ASEAN in general; and hoped that the Governor-General would continue to support the expansion of bilateral cooperation, including the exchange of high-level delegations between the two countries.