ASEAN: Everyone needs good neighbours

Looking ahead to next 50 years of the ASEAN-Australia partnership.

It’s been half a century since Australia became the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN’s first dialogue partner. This year is the second time Australia has hosted a special summit with the 10 ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste to commemorate this partnership.

The special summit held from March 4-6 is particularly significant as it poses a unique challenge for Australian leaders and their ASEAN counterparts in seizing promising opportunities while navigating potential roadblocks.

The summit is an opportunity to enhance cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which was established in 2021. Under the partnership, Australia reiterated its cooperation with ASEAN through three new “Australia for ASEAN” initiatives.

Last September, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy To 2040 report in Jakarta, Indonesia highlighting Australia’s interest in deepening trade and investment ties with its nearest regional neighbours.

Southeast Asia is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2040 after the United States, China and India.

With a strong foundation, Australia and its ASEAN counterparts can leverage this partnership to foster economic growth, strengthen digital security, bolster trade, and navigate potential geopolitical tensions.

Facing similar challenges in digitising their economies, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore need to collaborate more closely on digital security to combat the rise of sophisticated cyber threats.

Building meaningful relationships with ASEAN requires Australia to address the language deficit. Australia must commit to understanding and respecting the languages of its neighbours.

As Laos prepares to chair ASEAN in October, the summit serves as a crucial precursor, offering insights into the region’s upcoming year amidst potential challenges.

The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit holds immense potential for solidifying regional ties and shaping the future of Southeast Asia.

This special report will unpack the regional dynamics and leadership transitions to predict the summit’s outcomes and their impact on stability and cooperation in Southeast Asia.