Wahyu Dwi Anggoro
IDXChannel - The 36th ASEAN-Australia Forum commenced today in Melbourne. The Forum is a platform for Senior Officials of ASEAN and Australia to review relations.
It also aims to discuss future direction of the partnership, including preparations for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Dialogue Relations which is scheduled to be held in Melbourne on 5-6 March 2024.
Next month, Prime Minister of Australia, will host a special summit to celebrate 50 years since Australia became ASEAN's first dialogue partner.
It is the second time Australia will host leaders of ASEAN member states, and in 2024 they will also be joined by the leader of Timor-Leste.
In addition to a leaders’ plenary and retreat, the three-day summit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen partnerships through events centred around key focus areas – business, emerging leaders, climate and clean energy, and maritime cooperation.
Australia's prosperity, security and economic future are intimately linked to Southeast Asia. As a bloc, ASEAN is Australia's second largest trading partner, representing around 15 per cent of Australia's total trade. In 2022, trade with ASEAN Member States was AUD178 billion and two-way investment with ASEAN was AUD248.7 billion. (WHY)
