Melbourne, Australia: Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia, alongside fellow ASEAN leaders, participated in the Plenary Session of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations. The summit, hosted in Melbourne, was co-chaired by Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, and Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, representing the ASEAN Chair for 2024.
The assembly of ASEAN and Australian leaders is anticipated to culminate in the adoption of the Melbourne Declaration and the ASEAN-Australia Leaders' Vision Statement, signifying a commitment to charting a forward-looking partnership.
This Special Summit provides a strategic platform for leaders to envision future collaboration and strengthen ties through the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership's effective implementation.
In his address at the official reception, host Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the significant achievements fostered through the ASEAN-Australia relationship over the past five decades. He emphasized the mutual benefits derived from economic cooperation, investment, and the deep-rooted trust and friendship that have contributed to the region's stability, prosperity, and security.
Albanese pointed out the critical role of ASEAN's centrality in regional dynamics and urged the current generation of leaders to build upon this solid foundation. He remarked on the potential for transformative opportunities that lie ahead, challenging the leaders to actively shape the future course of ASEAN-Australia relations.
Australia's robust engagement with ASEAN, characterized by an annual two-way trade worth around AUD $180 billion and investments nearing AUD $300 billion, underscores the significance of this relationship. Albanese expressed Australia's ambition to not merely observe but actively contribute to and partake in ASEAN's growth, anticipated to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2040.
Reflecting this commitment, the Australian government's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy, aptly titled "Invested," aims to deepen Australia's involvement in the region's development.
Throughout his stay in Melbourne since March 2, Prime Minister Hun Manet has prioritized economic diplomacy, engaging with Australian business leaders and regional counterparts to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation and mutual growth.
