Australia's 2040 strategy aims to strengthen trade, investment ties with Southeast Asia
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that enhancing engagement with Southeast Asia – particularly through rebuilding trust and deepening cooperation – has become a key priority for the government under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's leadership.
"It (Asean) is central to regional stability, guards against conflict and reinforces the rules and norms that protect us all," she said in a statement today.
Noting that Australia is Asean's first Dialogue Partner and a Comprehensive Strategic Partner, Wong also commended the regional bloc's critical contribution to the country's aspirations for the region.
She added that as Australia marks 70 years of diplomatic presence in Malaysia, she looks forward to meeting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to discuss ways to further strengthen economic, strategic and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
She also reiterated Australia's strong support for Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship in 2025, noting that its theme on inclusivity and sustainability reflects shared values and common goals between both countries.
In the same statement, Wong emphasised that she will reaffirm Australia's commitment to working with Asean on conflict prevention, as well as its steadfast support for multilateralism, rules-based trade and international law, during the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum scheduled for tomorrow.
Wong today attended the Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meetings (AMM) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here.
The session, chaired by Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, was also attended by Mohamad, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, as well as foreign ministers from Asean member states and Timor-Leste.
– BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
32 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Fahmi: Government considers mandatory AI content labelling under Online Safety Act
KUALA LUMPUR: The government may consider making it mandatory for digital platforms to label artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content under the Online Safety Act, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said some platforms have already introduced tags to indicate when images or videos have been created using AI tools. "We may consider introducing similar requirements under the Online Safety Act, which is expected to come into force, God willing, by the end of this year. "This is especially crucial in addressing concerns about boundaries and the risk of misinformation and fake news spreading through social media," he said at a press conference here today. At the same time, Fahmi said ministries, agencies, departments, organisations and companies must all understand the benefits, challenges and limitations of integrating AI into their respective operations. Meanwhile, Fahmi said the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Use of Social Media is expected to be tabled and adopted by Asean member states at the 47th Asean Summit this October. He said the declaration would help Asean countries adopt common strategies to address the growing impact of AI.
Barnama
34 minutes ago
- Barnama
Malaysia Hosts Largest Ever Higher Education Fair In Indonesia
By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar JAKARTA, July 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is holding the largest-ever higher education fair in Indonesia, aiming to attract more Indonesian students and boost regional academic cooperation under its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship. The Mega Ayo Kuliah di Malaysia 2025 fair organised by Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) is taking place in Central Jakarta from July 12 to 13 and in Bekasi, West Java on July 15. bootstrap slideshow The fair features 21 Malaysian universities and showcases the country's close geographical proximity, affordable tuition fees, and globally recognised institutions. The fair is expected to attract some 2,000 visitors. Prospective students have the opportunity to get advice and conditional offer letters. Established in 2012, EMGS operates under Malaysia's Higher Education Ministry to promote the country as a global education hub. A total of seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Malaysian and Indonesian universities, including Universiti Utara Malaysia with Universitas Airlangga, Asia e University with Universitas Hasanuddin, and Lincoln University College with Universitas Borneo Lestari. 'Malaysia continues to strengthen regional academic mobility through initiatives such as the Graduate Pass, which offers a one-year post-study visa for graduates from 32 countries, including Indonesia,' said Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Anesee Ibrahim at the fair. He also highlighted the ASEAN Global Exchange Mobility and Scholarship (ASEAN GEMS) platform, which connects students with over 300 scholarship providers across ASEAN, offering total commitments of more than RM19 million.
Barnama
35 minutes ago
- Barnama
KPT Monitoring IPTs For Militant-related Activities
KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) is actively monitoring any activities related to militant movements based on the extremist ideology of the Islamic State (IS) among students at higher learning institutions (IPT). Its minister, Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, said this monitoring follows the recent arrest of several individuals, including 36 Bangladeshis, suspected of being involved in the militant movement based on the ideology under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA). "We are continuously monitoring this situation in collaboration with the security forces, particularly the police, to prevent the spread of such ideologies, whether originating from within the country or abroad.
