Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australian FM Heads to Malaysia for ASEAN Talks
Today I will travel to Malaysia to attend the annual ASEAN-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum.
Since coming to office, the Albanese Government has made it a priority to strengthen Australia’s engagement with Southeast Asia, rebuilding trust and deepening cooperation.
Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 is central to this renewed focus – a practical pathway to boost two-way trade and investment with the region, diversify our economy and build long-term economic resilience. By 2040, Southeast Asia is predicted to be the world’s fourth-largest economy after the United States, China and India.
Australia is ASEAN’s first Dialogue Partner and a Comprehensive Strategic Partner. ASEAN makes a critical contribution to our aspirations for our region. It is central to regional stability, guards against conflict and reinforces the rules and norms that protect us all.
In my meetings with ASEAN Foreign Ministers, I will outline Australia’s steadfast support for ASEAN centrality and ASEAN priorities.
At the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum, I will reaffirm Australia’s commitment to working with ASEAN on conflict prevention and our steadfast support for multilateralism, rules-based trade and international law.
Australia and Malaysia are longstanding partners and friends. As we mark 70 years of Australia’s diplomatic presence in Malaysia, I look forward to meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Hasan to discuss strengthening our economic, strategic and people-to-people ties.
Australia strongly supports Malaysia as the 2025 ASEAN Chair with its focus themes of Inclusivity and Sustainability, which reflect values we share and goals we support.
https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/visit-malaysia-asean-foreign-ministers-meetings