Outcomes Summary

A Partnership for the Future

At the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations, Australia announced a range of new and expanded initiatives. The Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP and ASEAN Leaders agreed the ASEAN-Australia Joint Leaders’ Vision Statement and the Melbourne Declaration, setting out our practical cooperation and shared aspirations for the future. From deepening our economic and cultural ties, to strengthening our educational and environmental cooperation, this package worth over $500 million, reinforces Australia’s commitment to Southeast Asia and ASEAN – now, and into the future.

Business

• A $2 billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility to catalyse Australian private sector investment in one of the world’s fastest growing regions. 
• An additional $140 million through the Partnerships for Infrastructure program to support infrastructure development and attract diverse, quality infrastructure finance. 
• The appointment of 10 senior, private sector Business Champions to facilitate greater commercial links between Australia and Southeast Asia. 
• New regional technology Landing Pads in Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City bringing together startups, research institutions, and tech players to drive digital transformation.
• Travel between Southeast Asia and Australia will be easier. Extending the validity of the Business Visitor visa and introducing the Frequent Traveller stream will strengthen mobility pathways and boosts our robust people-to-people links.
• Regional hub locations for investment Deal Teams in Singapore, Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City to help identify pipelines for investment opportunities across Southeast Asia. 
• The first business mission under the Australia-Southeast Asia Business Exchange to give Australian exporters greater exposure to the region. 

Socio-cultural

• A dedicated ASEAN-Australia Centre as a focal point for driving greater Southeast Asia literacy within Australia and promoting greater investment, collaboration and cooperation.
• More than 75 new Aus4ASEAN Scholarships, a number of which are co-funded by universities, and 55 Fellowships to support the region’s emerging leaders to study in areas that reinforce the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and build lasting ASEAN-Australia connections. 
• English-language training for Timor-Leste to support its path to full ASEAN membership and more effective engagement in ASEAN activities.

Climate and Clean Energy

• An additional $222.5 million to the Mekong-Australia Partnership to help partner countries in the Mekong subregion address shared challenges including water security and climate action.
• A $6.9 million Energy Cooperation Package under the Aus4ASEAN Futures Initiative to support the ASEAN Centre for Energy and the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change.
• A $10 million Climate and Clean Energy Window as part of the Southeast Asia Government-to-Government program announced in 2023 to facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building in addressing climate change.

Maritime Cooperation

• $64 million for Australia’s Southeast Asia Maritime Partnerships Initiative to enhance Australia’s practical support for maritime capacity-building, peace and stability in the region.

2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit Thematic Tracks

Business

• The Business Track connected and strengthened working relationships between eminent business leaders, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and industry groups from Australia, ASEAN and Timor-Leste. 
• The CEO Forum brought together 100 Australian and ASEAN CEOs and business leaders to boost two-way trade and investment, and implement Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
• The SME Conference and Marketplace shared insights from experts on ASEAN investment and trade opportunities with 165 Australian SMEs.

Climate & Clean Energy

• The Climate and Clean Energy Transition Forum brought together over 160 participants from Australia, ASEAN and Timor-Leste to boost collaboration and investment in the region’s clean energy transition. 
• Australia’s Ambassador for Climate Change led discussions on decarbonisation pathways, clean energy technologies and skills, supply chains, and financing and investment, building on the 2023 ASEAN-Australia High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change and Energy Transition.
• Visitors engaged with leading Australian clean energy businesses and innovative policy approaches at the Marketplace.

Emerging Leaders

• The Emerging Leaders’ Dialogue brought together 65 next generation leaders from Australia, ASEAN and Timor-Leste for in-depth discussions on key economic, social and geopolitical challenges facing the region.
• Emerging leaders canvassed new ideas on how to accelerate digital transformation and build the skills, capabilities and solutions needed to bolster sustainable development and enhance regional peace and prosperity.
• The connections built provide a platform for sustained cooperation on technology, business, social enterprise and policymaking.

Maritime Cooperation

• The Maritime Cooperation Forum brought together maritime officials and experts from Australia, ASEAN and Timor-Leste to generate new solutions to shared maritime challenges.
• Over 100 maritime experts convened for a Track 2 Conference to present new maritime research and forge future research partnerships on marine environment, safety, security and the Blue Economy. 
• The first Track 1.5 Maritime Dialogue between ASEAN and Australia enhanced maritime cooperation, supporting implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and ASEAN Maritime Outlook to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence in maritime enforcement roles.

ASEAN-Australia Week

A program of academic, cultural, educational and business events by external organisations complemented the official Special Summit program. ASEAN-Australia Week established new people-to-people connections, and showcased the depth and diversity of links between ASEAN and Australia. Visit the website for details.