ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 to celebrate 50 years of partnership

According to a VNA correspondent in Sydney, on March 1, the Australian Prime Minister's Office issued a press release saying that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will host leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Timor-Leste for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne from March 4-6. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Australia becoming ASEAN's first partner. The release stated that Australia has close and extensive ties with the region. As a bloc, ASEAN is Australia's second largest two-way trade partner. More than 500,000 Australians have roots in Southeast Asia. At the Special Summit, the leaders will discuss strengthening ASEAN-Australia cooperation, the two sides' vision for the future of the region, and how ASEAN and Australia can work together to address common challenges. The focus of the discussions will be Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy 2040, a blueprint for strengthening Australia’s economic links with the region launched by Prime Minister Albanese in September 2023. According to the statement, before the plenary session with the ASEAN and Australian leaders, there will be a series of meetings and events with four thematic tracks bringing together community and business leaders, experts and academics from Australia and ASEAN to discuss issues such as enhancing economic engagement; supporting the acceleration of the clean energy transition; enhancing practical maritime cooperation; supporting the region’s emerging leadership. In addition to the Special Summit, Prime Minister Albanese will host official government guest programs with a number of Southeast Asian leaders. Prime Minister Albanese will also hold the annual Australia-Singapore Leaders’ Meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as well as bilateral meetings with leaders and the ASEAN Secretary-General. “Australia is proud to be ASEAN’s first Dialogue Partner, sharing 50 years of mutual respect and cooperation with our friends in Southeast Asia,” the statement quoted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as saying. “Building Australia’s relationship with Southeast Asian countries is a top priority for the Australian Government. The Special Summit celebrates our shared history and focuses on the future – on how to deepen Australia’s relationship and engagement with our region.” Australia sees ASEAN as central to a stable, peaceful and prosperous region. Strengthening the ASEAN-Australia relationship ensures our shared future prosperity and security. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his desire to welcome his counterparts to Australia to discuss the common challenges facing the region, opportunities to enhance mutual prosperity and how ASEAN-Australia can build strong relationships./.