DILI, 07 march 2024 (TATOLI) – Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, representing the Government, took part in the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the dialogue partnership between Australia and ASEAN, which was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center in Australia.
The Summit has four key themes which will shape the ASEAN-Australia partnership for the future: trade and investment, climate and clean energy transition, maritime cooperation, and emerging leadership.
During the meeting, the leaders of Australia, ASEAN, and Timor-Leste reaffirmed their joint commitment to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity, as well as building a sustainable future for the region.
At the event, the leaders pledged to work in partnership to tackle common challenges and identify opportunities that benefit all the people of the region. In this regard, the ASEAN-Australia Joint Vision and Melbourne Declarations were approved, outlining the next 50 years of this partnership, with a view to promoting an open, inclusive, and transparent region, centered on the organization.
“The leaders also expressed their common aspirations for the future of the region, pledging to contribute to maintaining peace and stability, as well as strengthening cooperation for sustainable development and prosperity in the region. They identified areas of practical cooperation for the future, from deepening economic and socio-cultural ties to strengthening educational and environmental cooperation,” said in a statement.
A number of initiatives were announced at the summit, including the establishment of an ASEAN and Australia Center in Canberra, scholarships, an energy cooperation package, training activities, expansion of maritime cooperation and measures to strengthen bilateral trade and investment. The establishment of a US$2 billion Investment Finance Fund to catalyze investment in the region in key sectors such as infrastructure and the transition to clean energy was also announced.
Gusmão expressed his deep gratitude for Timor-Leste’s participation as an observer country at the Summit and stressed the importance of the event for a joint reflection on what has already been achieved and what is desired for the future relations between ASEAN and Australia.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “It was an honor to welcome the leaders of ASEAN and Timor-Leste to Melbourne to celebrate 50 years of partnership between ASEAN and Australia.”
Albanese said that: “The economies of ASEAN and Australia are deeply intertwined” and expressed the country’s desire to “play a more significant role in the search for economic opportunities, development and growth in Southeast Asia.”
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Camilio de Sousa
