Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Indo-Pacific leaders at the 5th ASEAN-Australia Summit and the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Australia is working with ASEAN partners to shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. Prime Minister Albanese joined other leaders in welcoming Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN as its 11th member.
The visit highlighted how Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 is boosting two-way trade and investment with the region since its launch in 2023. Two-way trade with the region increased to more than $195 billion last year, a record high.
The Prime Minister announced Australia will invest approximately $250 million via the Southeast Asia Infrastructure Financing Facility in two platform funds to kick-start Australian investments in the region and back the growth of Australian companies.
Australia values ASEAN’s critical and ongoing role in promoting peace and stability in the region. At the ASEAN-Australia Summit, leaders set out how they will work together in a landmark statement on Conflict Prevention and Crisis Management.
Prime Minister Albanese also announced support for safer migration pathways in the region. This includes investing $15 million to deliver a new phase of the TRIANGLE program to strengthen regional labour migration frameworks, enhance national migration policies and build local capacity.
Prime Minister Albanese and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, held the third Australia–Malaysia Annual Leaders’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, and marked the 70th anniversary year of bilateral relations. The leaders discussed strengthening the already close cooperation between the two countries, including in education, investment and defence.
Together with Prime Minister Anwar, Prime Minister Albanese welcomed Monash University’s announcement of a $1 billion investment to build a new campus in Kuala Lumpur. This will support more than 22,000 students in the region to gain an education at a high quality Australian institution.
The Prime Minister also had formal meetings with Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi, Premier of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang, Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Manet, President of the Republic of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Albanese
“Strengthening our relationships with our Southeast Asian partners is critical to ensuring regional peace, stability and prosperity, and growing opportunities for Australian businesses and jobs.
“Australia has been working with ASEAN for more than fifty years, and we are working together to prevent conflict and improve how we manage crises.
“Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy is contributing to mutual growth and prosperity in our region.
“I congratulate Timor-Leste on becoming the 11th Member of ASEAN. Australia is pleased to have been a consistent and strong supporter of Timor-Leste’s ASEAN journey.
“I congratulate Prime Minister Anwar for chairing a successful ASEAN year and thank him for hosting our third Annual Leaders’ Meeting.
“Malaysia is a longstanding friend and partner in the region, and it is an honour to be in Kuala Lumpur to mark 70 years of Australia’s diplomatic relations with Malaysia.”