Between 4 and 6 March 2024, the Hon Anthony Albanese, MP, Prime Minister of Australia hosted leaders of ASEAN and Timor-Leste for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit to celebrate 50 years of partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Special Summit focused on four thematic tracks: business, climate and clean energy, emerging leaders, and maritime cooperation. Australia hosted the first ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in 2018.
Take a tour through the 50 years of ASEAN-Australia relations
Leaders released 2 statements following the Special Summit:
- a Leaders’ Vision Statement setting out their strategic vision for next 50 years
- a Joint Leaders’ Declaration (the Melbourne Declaration).
At the Special Summit, Australia announced a range of new and expanded initiatives to reinforce Australia’s commitment to Southeast Asia and ASEAN - now and into the future. This included the establishment of a new ASEAN-Australia Centre.
ASEAN leaders in Melbourne, Tuesday 5 March 2024. Pictured (left to right) His Excellency Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, His Excellency Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, His Excellency Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, The Honourable Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, The Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, His Excellency Mr Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR, His Excellency Mr Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, His Excellency Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Mr Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.