On the afternoon of October 28th, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with leaders of ASEAN countries and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, attended the 5th ASEAN-Australia Summit.
5th ASEAN-Australia Summit - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
At the Conference, the Leaders assessed the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as increasingly substantive and effective. Two-way trade reached US$96.2 billion, and Australian investment in ASEAN reached US$1.65 billion in 2024. Both sides affirmed that the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the "ASEAN-Australia Leaders' Vision Statement: Partnership for Peace and Prosperity" open up many opportunities for extensive cooperation between the two sides in all areas: political, security, economic, social, and sustainable development.
Looking ahead to the 5th anniversary of the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2026, the Leaders agreed to accelerate the implementation of the ASEAN-Australia Action Plan 2025-2029, prioritizing responses to traditional and non-traditional security challenges; deepening economic relations through the effective implementation of the newly upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP); accelerating the disbursement of the A$2 billion investment facilitation grant; and expanding cooperation in promising areas such as digital transformation, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and smart infrastructure.
ASEAN leaders highly appreciate Australia's support and contributions to ASEAN Community building efforts, particularly through initiatives such as Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, the Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) Initiative, the Aus4ASEAN Future Initiative, the Aus4ASEAN Scholarships, and the Aus4ASEAN Digital Transformation and Future Skills Initiative. Based on this, ASEAN countries expect both sides to continue effectively implementing projects on infrastructure and people-to-people connectivity, food security, sustainable development, natural resource management (especially water resources), climate change and disaster response, poverty reduction, and sub-regional development.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at the Conference - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese affirmed his support for multilateralism, a regional structure with ASEAN playing a central role, and a model that is open, inclusive, transparent, and rules-based, as well as efforts to build the ASEAN Community. Australia is committed to continuing close cooperation with ASEAN to strengthen economic linkages, investment, clean energy, education, cultural and community connectivity, maritime cooperation, maritime security, transnational crime response, cybersecurity, and counter-terrorism… On this occasion, the Australian Prime Minister announced an additional contribution of $15 million to support the regional labor migration program.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assessed that the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has developed very positively in recent times - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Speaking at the Conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assessed that the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has developed very positively in recent years, with the implementation rate of the Action Program for the 2025-2029 period reaching 83%, creating a favorable foundation for both sides to continue expanding cooperation in the coming period. Accordingly, the Prime Minister proposed four priority areas for bilateral cooperation.
Firstly, continue to promote multi-layered economic linkages, creating even more open spaces for trade and investment; effectively implement the AANZFTA and RCEP agreements, while expanding RCEP and aligning it with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy 2040.
In addition, both sides need to strengthen synchronized implementation measures ranging from policy dialogue, harmonization of standards and regulations, to trade promotion, business networking, and support. The Prime Minister also requested Australia to promote the export of raw materials and minerals, especially essential raw materials.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed four priority areas for ASEAN-Australia cooperation - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Secondly, it is crucial to promote seamless and synchronized strategic infrastructure connectivity, laying the foundation for breakthrough development, opening more air routes and seaports, and completing multimodal transport corridors; connecting digital infrastructure and cross-border data governance cooperation; connecting energy infrastructure, fiber optic networks and submarine cables, and connecting smart cities and smart governance ecosystems. The Prime Minister hopes that Australia will continue to support ASEAN countries in training high-quality human resources and increasing scholarships for ASEAN students.
Thirdly, strengthening digital transformation, green transformation, and renewable energy will create new growth drivers for sustainable development. The Prime Minister requested Australia to encourage large corporations and businesses to invest in the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Digital Economy and Grid, share experiences, transfer technology, support the construction of innovation centers; ensure cybersecurity; promote green finance, and cooperate in sustainable water resource management and responsible mineral exploitation.
Delegates attending the Conference - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Fourth, let's work together to strengthen a peaceful, secure, and stable environment for development; further promote joint efforts to maintain a rules-based order; enhance cooperation on maritime security and non-traditional security; establish mechanisms for information sharing and early warning of threats, including in cyberspace… The Prime Minister requested Australia to continue its strong support, both in voice and action, for ASEAN's principled stance on the South China Sea, ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight, and resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982.
At the conclusion of the meeting, ASEAN and Australian leaders adopted a Joint Statement on Conflict Prevention and Crisis Management within the ASEAN-led Regional Architecture.
Source: https://vtv.vn/thu-tuong-de-nghi-asean-australia-day-manh-lien-ket-kinh-te-chuyen-doi-so-chuyen-doi-xanh-100251028161221867.htm
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