The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits finished up in Vientiane, Laos, with significant outcomes for Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the strides Australia has made in implementing the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, emphasising the joint fortunes shared with the region.
“This is about Australian businesses making new partnerships in South-East Asia to drive a new generation of jobs, trade and investment,” Albanese said in his opening remarks last week.
“Because a fundamental principle of the ASEAN-Australia partnership is mutual benefit and we all gain from a regional economy that is more resilient and more connected. Just as we all prosper from the peace, stability and security that enables the free exchange of ideas, culture, technology and the strengthening of bonds in business, education and tourism.”
Australia announced a range of new initiatives, including a $2 billion investment mission in Southeast Asia, aimed at deepening economic ties and creating jobs at home.
New programs, such as Landing Pads for tech startups and scholarships, help deepen socio-cultural and economic ties, while climate cooperation and maritime capacity-building initiatives solidify long-term partnerships.
The ASEAN-Australia Joint Leaders’ Vision Statement and the Melbourne Declaration set out practical cooperation and shared aspirations for the future.
Albanese reaffirmed Australia's commitment to ASEAN centrality and building stronger trade links, noting that Southeast Asia's economic prosperity is critical to Australia's growth.
The summits also focused on enhancing supply chain resilience, biodiversity, and climate action.