Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific during meetings with regional leaders at the 5th ASEAN-Australia Summit and the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
He said strengthening relationships with Southeast Asian partners is “critical to ensuring regional peace, stability and prosperity, and growing opportunities for Australian businesses and jobs.”
During the summit, PM Albanese joined leaders in formally welcoming Timor-Leste as the 11th member of ASEAN, noting Australia has been “a consistent and strong supporter of Timor-Leste’s ASEAN journey.”
The visit showcased the momentum of Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which has driven two-way trade to a record high of more than $195 billion last year.
PM Albanese said the strategy is “contributing to mutual growth and prosperity in our region.” Australia also announced almost $250 million through the Southeast Asia Infrastructure Financing Facility to boost Australian investment and support regional development.
At the ASEAN-Australia Summit, leaders issued a landmark statement strengthening cooperation on conflict prevention and crisis management. The Prime Minister highlighted that Australia and ASEAN have “been working together for more than fifty years to prevent conflict and improve how we manage crises.”
Australia further pledged $15 million to expand the TRIANGLE program, supporting safer and more regulated labour migration pathways across the region.
In bilateral discussions, PM Albanese and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim co-chaired the third Australia–Malaysia Annual Leaders’ Meeting, marking 70 years of diplomatic ties. He described Malaysia as “a longstanding friend and partner in the region,” and thanked Prime Minister Anwar for hosting and “chairing a successful ASEAN year.”
The leaders also welcomed Monash University’s $1 billion investment in a new Kuala Lumpur campus, which will support more than 22,000 students across the region to access a high-quality Australian education.
PM Albanese also held formal meetings with leaders from Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines and Thailand, emphasising Australia’s ongoing role in shaping a secure and collaborative Indo-Pacific.
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