Vientiane, October 11, 2024 – The Europe Today: Indonesia has been officially appointed as the coordinator for the ASEAN-Australia partnership, taking the lead in promoting cooperation in politics and security, economic, and socio-cultural fields for the 2024-2027 period. This significant role was confirmed during the 45th ASEAN Summit held in Vientiane on Friday, as stated by Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi.
“This year, Indonesia has been selected as the coordinator for the ASEAN-Australia partnership for the 2024-2027 period. In this context, we represent ASEAN countries,” Minister Marsudi announced during the summit.
Indonesia has previously served as the coordinator for the ASEAN-United States partnership, showcasing its leadership within ASEAN’s international engagements.
During the ASEAN-Australia meeting, which formed part of the 45th ASEAN Summit, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin led the Indonesian delegation and outlined key priorities for cooperation between ASEAN and Australia. These priorities aim to strengthen relations across various sectors.
In the realm of politics and security, Indonesia emphasized the need to enhance efforts in combating terrorism and addressing transnational crimes, a key area of concern for regional stability.
On the economic front, Minister Marsudi highlighted the importance of implementing key agreements, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. The latter is a policy initiative by the Australian government aimed at deepening economic ties with Southeast Asia over the coming decades.
In the socio-cultural pillar, ASEAN intends to strengthen cooperation in education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Efforts will also be made to maximize the potential of the ASEAN-Australia Center, which serves as a hub for fostering deeper connections between the two regions.
At the high-level meeting attended by ASEAN leaders and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Vice President Amin stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region. He cautioned against defense policies that could lead to arms races or heightened tensions, advocating for a conflict-free, pluralistic Southeast Asia.
The ASEAN-Australia partnership remains a key platform for enhancing regional cooperation, and Indonesia’s leadership as coordinator is expected to further strengthen ties in pursuit of shared regional goals.
