Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has concluded a successful visit to the Republic of Korea for the 2025 APEC Summit.

From 29 October to 1 November, the Prime Minister met with major partners to strengthen Australia’s trade and investment.  

APEC is a key platform for advancing inclusive, sustainable growth.  75 percent of Australia’s global trade is with the member economies of APEC.

Leaders endorsed the Gyeongju Declaration which advances shared objectives under the Summit’s three priorities, ‘Connect, Innovate and Prosper’.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: The APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit has just concluded, and it was a very successful gathering. It was an opportunity for me as Australia's Prime Minister to meet, between here and also the East Asia Summit and ASEAN, to meet with more than 20 leaders. I have had bilateral formal meetings with eight of our leading partners as well as informal discussions. So, the first opportunity to meet the new Japanese Prime Minister, the first opportunity to meet the new Prime Minister of Thailand, as well as renew some old relationships as well.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It's been a very productive morning at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting here in Korea. The first APEC Meeting, of course, took place in Canberra 36 years ago. So, Australia has a real affinity with APEC. We have a sense of ownership as part of the reforms of how we engage in our own Pacific region in order to advance the economic growth of the region, with the focus, of course, on our desire to have jobs and economic activity in Australia. And that is very much my focus.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. It's fantastic to be here in Korea for the APEC Leaders’ Summit and it's been a busy time already. Yesterday, going to the memorial to pay tribute to the Australians for whom Korea is their final resting place, but also, to show respect to the more than 17,000 Australians who fought as part of the UN forces during the Korean War.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I'm very pleased to have arrived here in Korea for the APEC Summit. One in four of Australian jobs depends upon trade, and 75 per cent of Australia's trade is with APEC nations. This is the fastest growing region of the world in human history. And this week will be an opportunity for me to advance Australia's national interests. Shortly, I will also visit Australian war graves here at the cemetery. Some 281 Australians are laid to rest here.

ANWAR IBRAHIM, PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and ministers and colleagues, thank you very much. I've said this earlier that Prime Minister Albanese has been a good friend. You’ve been very supportive of our ventures and my meetings with him have been very fruitful, very candid, very open and both of us have really committed to enhance bilateral relations in terms of serious trade, investment ventures and this decision of Monash University to operate from TRX City the prestigious area is something very impressive.

Thank you, Prime Minister Anwar, for hosting this 5th annual ASEAN-Australia Summit and for your generous hospitality as the ASEAN Chair this year.

Australia and Malaysia are great friends.

As we celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, we can reflect on the remarkable partnership that exists between our two nations.

Across trade and tourism, our education sector and our growing business to business connections, the Australia-Malaysia relationship is going from strength to strength.  

Among all the distinguished guests who have joined us here today, can I acknowledge Minister for Higher Education Zambry.

Monash University Vice Chancellor, Professor Pickering.

Monash University Malaysia President, Professor Adeeba.

And Lendlease CEO and Australia’s Business Champion for Malaysia Tony Lombardo.

It is a great pleasure to be with you for the launch of Monash’s innovative new campus right here in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

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.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I've just had the enormous pleasure of meeting young people from throughout the ASEAN region who are receiving support with the Australian Leaders Dialogue Program that we have with ASEAN, bringing together people from all of the countries of ASEAN to engage with each other, and importantly, as well, to engage with Australia. They visited Parliament House just a few weeks ago, and I got to see them there when they were walking around Parliament and engaging in Canberra.