Seminar on Australia-ASEAN Relations in Asia’s Transformation

The Australian Embassy will host a seminar examining the long-standing relationship between Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Hanoi on 30 May 2014 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Australia-ASEAN partnership. Similar seminars will be held in Cambodia and in Brunei.

The seminar “Australia-ASEAN Relations in Asia’s Transformation”, will examine Australia’s close relationship with ASEAN, look at transformative moments during the 40 year partnership, highlight on-going cooperation and consider the future of the relationship. The seminar will also look at the territorial disputes in the South China Sea and implications for Australia and ASEAN. The seminar will feature Australian academic Dr Sally Percival Wood from Deakin University’s Centre for Citizenship and Globalisation and Dr Hoang Anh Tuan, Director General, Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. The event will be opened by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Pham Quang Vinh.

“Australia is proud to have been one of the first countries to recognise ASEAN’s importance and to have been ASEAN’s first dialogue partner. The seminar and other activities organised by the Australian government demonstrate Australia’s commitment to further strengthening its relationship with ASEAN and its member states to realise our shared aspirations - to live in a region of lasting peace, security and stability with shared prosperity and social progress,” said Australian Chargé d’Affaires Nadia Krivetz.

Placing economic diplomacy at the core of Australia’s engagement with the region, the Australian Government attaches great importance to further expanding trade, investment, regional security and tourism ties with ASEAN countries. With a combined population of more than 600 million people and economies of AUD/USD 2.4 trillion, at the heart of the dynamic Indo-Pacific region, ASEAN is now one of Australia’s largest trade partners with the two-way trade turnover has doubled over past decade.

Australia’s relationship with ASEAN has grown from a modest officials’ meeting in Canberra on 16 April 1974 to a strong cooperative partnership covering a range of areas including trade, security, education, development and disaster relief.

The 40th anniversary of relations is a significant milestone and an important opportunity for Australia and ASEAN to chart a new strategic direction for the partnership and will culminate in an ASEAN-Australia leaders' summit at the East Asia Summit in Nai Pyi Taw in November this year.

For further information, please contact Ms. Vu Binh Chau, Media Officer, Australian Embassy in Hanoi (phone: 04 3774 0216, mobile: 0166 561 0149, email: [email protected]).