Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, HE Mr Anutin Charnvirakul, met in Canberra today and agreed to stronger cooperation between the two countries across trade, law enforcement, defence and innovation.
Thailand is a trusted regional partner and friend. The strength of our longstanding relationship reflects the connections between our people – the businesses, tourists, students and families that link our countries every day.
Thailand is one of Australia’s closest economic partners. In recognition of the growing trade relationship, the Prime Ministers issued a Joint Statement on Deepening Economic Engagement. The two countries have committed to further expand trade and investment by seizing new opportunities in agriculture and food, clean energy, critical technologies and the digital economy.
Australia affirmed its support for Thailand to join the OECD and is committed to working closely with Thailand in vital multilateral forums such as COP31, the World Trade Organisation and ASEAN. This reflects both countries' shared commitment to the agreed rules, norms and standards of the multilateral system.
The leaders issued a Joint Statement on Transnational Crime, which commits law enforcement agencies to closer operational cooperation to disrupt increasingly sophisticated global criminal networks.
This builds on decades of cooperation between Australian and Thai authorities to make our communities safer, and will target human and illicit drug trafficking, scam networks and cyber fraud.
Australia and Thailand also agreed to establish a biennial Defence Ministers' Meeting, further strengthening defence cooperation.
During the visit, Australia and Thailand agreed to work more closely on science, research and innovation to drive economic growth. This will build on existing collaboration between CSIRO and Thai research partners in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and sustainable food and agricultural systems.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
“As we look forward to celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Thailand next year, we are expanding our relationship through economic resilience, security, and innovation.”
“As transnational crime becomes more sophisticated, it has never been more important that we look to trusted regional partners to help combat crime, protect our communities and advance a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
“With two-way trade nearly tripled since our FTA entered into force, Australia’s economic ties with Thailand continue to offer enormous potential.
“It is a pleasure to host Prime Minister Anutin in Australia, and I look forward to working together as we expand our relationship to meet modern challenges and opportunities.”