This week I will travel to Jakarta to attend the annual ASEAN-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and ASEAN Regional Forum.
Australia sees ASEAN at the centre of a stable, peaceful and prosperous region. We have deep family, education, tourism and business connections with the countries of Southeast Asia, and our future is tied to the future of the region we share.
In my meetings with ASEAN Foreign Ministers, I will discuss opportunities to enhance our cooperation under the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including on climate change, health security, and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
A strong ASEAN is indispensable to the stability of our region. Australia will continue to work in partnership with ASEAN to shape the kind of region we all want.
At the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and ASEAN Regional Forum I will outline Australia’s vision for our region, and how we are working together with ASEAN to address our shared challenges.
My visit to Jakarta, a week after President Widodo’s visit to Australia, is an opportunity to further strengthen our partnership with Indonesia and reiterate our support for Indonesia’s priorities as 2023 ASEAN Chair.
Indonesia is central to Australia’s prosperity and our security.
In Jakarta, I will launch a photo exhibition marking 70 years of Australian scholarships in Indonesia, participate in a discussion with young Indonesians about our shared aspirations for the region and visit a local health centre to affirm Australia and Indonesia’s partnership in health reform.
