Phnom Penh (FN), May 18 – The Asian Vision Institute (AVI), in collaboration with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 16 May 2024, launched "Comprehensive Strategic Partners: ASEAN and Australia after the first 50 years", a milestone report exploring Australia's partnership with ASEAN half a century after Australia became ASEAN's first Dialogue Partner. The launch followed by a roundtable discussion on Australia's existing cooperation with ASEAN and opportunities for further partnership in the years ahead.
"This event commenced with welcoming remarks by Chheng Kimlong, President of AVI, followed by remarks from Pablo Kang, Chargé d'Affaires and former Australian Ambassador to Cambodia. The distinguished panelists included Professor Nicholas Farrelly, Pro-vice Chancellor at the University of Tasmania, Sharon Seah, Senior Fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, and Chheng. It brought together more than 30 participants from government agencies, foreign embassies in Phnom Penh, think tanks, and academic institutions," according to the joint press release seen by Fresh News on Saturday (May 18).
"The panelists and participants discussed the ASEAN-Australia partnership's achievements and challenges over the past 50 years, while also identifying emerging opportunities and areas of future collaboration. Moreover, the discussion explored how ASEAN and Australia would continue to strengthen cooperation and work closely together in addressing common challenges under the auspices of the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, thereby promoting shared interests, peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond.
In conclusion, the event produced successful and fruitful outcomes. The active engagement from participants and valuable contributions from panelists not only enriched the discussion but also highlighted the importance of exchanging ideas to cultivate meaningful dialogue and promote diverse perspectives. The 50th anniversary of partnership between ASEAN and Australia in 2024 is a major milestone; yet ASEAN and Australia will move forward into the next phase even stronger and more resilient, building on the foundation established over the past five decades."
Read the full report at https://asialink.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/4871008/Comprehensive-Strategic-Partners-ASEAN-Australia-1.pdf
=FRESH NEWS
