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ASEAN and Australia Forge Stronger Ties Amid Global Challenges

  Editorial INTI     1 bulan yang lalu
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Jakarta, INTI - On Thursday (10/10), the 4th ASEAN-Australia Summit was held at the National Convention Centre, with the Indonesian delegation led by Vice President Ma’ruf Amin. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and heads of state from ASEAN nations, excluding Myanmar, participated in this significant event, which is part of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit series.

Indonesia, acting as the ASEAN-Australia Cooperation Coordinator, kicked off the summit by discussing the achievements in ASEAN-Australia relations, which have lasted for over 50 years. "Australia is one of ASEAN’s most engaged partners, particularly in the economic sector, where it plays a critical role in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA)," Vice President Ma’ruf Amin explained.

Earlier this year, the ASEAN-Australia 50th Anniversary Summit was held in March 2024, attended by ASEAN leaders except for Myanmar. At that event, two important agreements were adopted to shape ASEAN-Australia cooperation for the next half-century: the ASEAN-Australia Leaders’ Vision Statement and The Melbourne Declaration.

On political and security matters, ASEAN acknowledged Australia’s contribution to combating terrorism and transnational crime. The region also appreciated Australia’s support in implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Meanwhile, in the socio-cultural realm, Australia has been a strong partner in health resilience during the pandemic and educational cooperation, helping to strengthen people-to-people ties through the establishment of an ASEAN-Australia Centre.

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin underscored the importance of advancing cooperation across these three pillars to strengthen regional resilience and support an inclusive AOIP. He also highlighted two critical issues facing the world today. First, he called for a collective effort to promote global peace and stability, a responsibility shared by both ASEAN and Australia. "Our region, which is rich in diversity, must work together to avoid potential conflicts," he remarked.

Secondly, Ma’ruf Amin emphasized the need for consistent application of international law, especially in the Palestinian issue. "There should be no double standards. All parties must contribute to collaborative efforts to achieve peace, including through a two-state solution and the recognition of Palestinian independence," he asserted.

During the summit, ASEAN leaders expressed their appreciation for Australia’s continued support through various initiatives, including the Regional Trade for Development Facility (RT4D), which supports the implementation of AANZFTA and RCEP, and the Aus4ASEAN Futures initiative, which has backed 30 projects in the ASEAN Economic Pillar. Australia has also provided scholarships and training for ASEAN citizens. Looking forward, ASEAN leaders encouraged strengthening people-to-people exchanges through increased scholarship opportunities for ASEAN students studying in Australia.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto further discussed a major outcome of ASEAN-Australia cooperation: the establishment of the Investment Deal Teams, launched at the ASEAN-Australia 50th Anniversary Summit in March 2024. The team, with an initial base in Jakarta, Singapore, and Ho Chi Minh, will facilitate connections between startups, research institutions, and technology innovators. Supported by $70.2 million in funding, this initiative will promote digital transformation and green energy financing by providing access to $2 billion in potential investments from Australia. "This team will drive investment in clean energy transitions," said Minister Airlangga.

Australia was the first country to become ASEAN's Dialogue Partner in 1997 and a Comprehensive Strategic Partner in 2021. In 2023, ASEAN and Australia’s economic relations reached $94.43 billion in trade and $1.6 billion in investment. Their cooperation was further solidified with the signing of the 2nd Protocol to Amend the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (2nd AANZFTA), which is expected to be implemented by the end of 2024.

Also present at the summit were the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Jakarta, INTI - On Thursday (10/10), the 4th ASEAN-Australia Summit was held at the National Convention Centre, with the Indonesian delegation led by Vice President Ma’ruf Amin. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and heads of state from ASEAN nations, excluding Myanmar, participated in this significant event, which is part of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit series.

Indonesia, acting as the ASEAN-Australia Cooperation Coordinator, kicked off the summit by discussing the achievements in ASEAN-Australia relations, which have lasted for over 50 years. "Australia is one of ASEAN’s most engaged partners, particularly in the economic sector, where it plays a critical role in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA)," Vice President Ma’ruf Amin explained.

Earlier this year, the ASEAN-Australia 50th Anniversary Summit was held in March 2024, attended by ASEAN leaders except for Myanmar. At that event, two important agreements were adopted to shape ASEAN-Australia cooperation for the next half-century: the ASEAN-Australia Leaders’ Vision Statement and The Melbourne Declaration.

On political and security matters, ASEAN acknowledged Australia’s contribution to combating terrorism and transnational crime. The region also appreciated Australia’s support in implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Meanwhile, in the socio-cultural realm, Australia has been a strong partner in health resilience during the pandemic and educational cooperation, helping to strengthen people-to-people ties through the establishment of an ASEAN-Australia Centre.

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin underscored the importance of advancing cooperation across these three pillars to strengthen regional resilience and support an inclusive AOIP. He also highlighted two critical issues facing the world today. First, he called for a collective effort to promote global peace and stability, a responsibility shared by both ASEAN and Australia. "Our region, which is rich in diversity, must work together to avoid potential conflicts," he remarked.

Secondly, Ma’ruf Amin emphasized the need for consistent application of international law, especially in the Palestinian issue. "There should be no double standards. All parties must contribute to collaborative efforts to achieve peace, including through a two-state solution and the recognition of Palestinian independence," he asserted.

During the summit, ASEAN leaders expressed their appreciation for Australia’s continued support through various initiatives, including the Regional Trade for Development Facility (RT4D), which supports the implementation of AANZFTA and RCEP, and the Aus4ASEAN Futures initiative, which has backed 30 projects in the ASEAN Economic Pillar. Australia has also provided scholarships and training for ASEAN citizens. Looking forward, ASEAN leaders encouraged strengthening people-to-people exchanges through increased scholarship opportunities for ASEAN students studying in Australia.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto further discussed a major outcome of ASEAN-Australia cooperation: the establishment of the Investment Deal Teams, launched at the ASEAN-Australia 50th Anniversary Summit in March 2024. The team, with an initial base in Jakarta, Singapore, and Ho Chi Minh, will facilitate connections between startups, research institutions, and technology innovators. Supported by $70.2 million in funding, this initiative will promote digital transformation and green energy financing by providing access to $2 billion in potential investments from Australia. "This team will drive investment in clean energy transitions," said Minister Airlangga.

Australia was the first country to become ASEAN's Dialogue Partner in 1997 and a Comprehensive Strategic Partner in 2021. In 2023, ASEAN and Australia’s economic relations reached $94.43 billion in trade and $1.6 billion in investment. Their cooperation was further solidified with the signing of the 2nd Protocol to Amend the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (2nd AANZFTA), which is expected to be implemented by the end of 2024.

Also present at the summit were the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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