PM to unveil Asia blueprint ahead of key global summits

Expanding trade and investment ties with Southeast Asia will be on the agenda for Anthony Albanese as he attends a series of summits.

The prime minister flew out on Tuesday for Indonesia, where he will attend the ASEAN and East Asia Summits in Jakarta.

The visit will be the first stop in his week-long trip to Asia, which includes a visit to the Philippines for bilateral talks before heading to India for the G20 summit. 

Mr Albanese will use the Jakarta visit to unveil Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.

The prime minister said boosting economic ties with Southeast Asia would be crucial, with the region on track to be the fourth-largest economy.

"This is a most substantive piece of work ever done about Australia's relations when it comes to our economic future with Southeast Asia," Mr Albanese told parliament.

He said the strategy - which covers agriculture, resources, renewable energy and education among other sectors - would boost Australia's prosperity and lift living standards across the region.

It was developed by former banker Nicholas Moore, who serves as the special envoy to Southeast Asia, in consultation with business leaders and academics.

"I will announce tomorrow the first steps we are taking to implement the strategy," Mr Albanese said.

Two-way trade between Australia and ASEAN nations - which include Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia - was worth $178 billion in 2022.

The strategy will be formally announced at the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum.

Regional security, green infrastructure and making supply chains more resilient will also be on the agenda.

While in Indonesia, the prime minister will hold one-on-one talks with other world leaders including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

He will also hold bilateral meetings with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, the first time Mr Albanese will have formal talks with either leader.

Mr Albanese is also set to attend a business reception in Jakarta.

President Joe Biden is not attending the East Asia Summit, with Vice President Kamala Harris to represent the US.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will skip the East Asia Summit as well as the G20 summit.

Australian Strategic Policy Institute analyst Gatra Priyandita said the emphasis on ASEAN was crucial for Australia to maintain its strategic focus in the region.

"Anthony Albanese's attendance shows Australia is committed to multilateralism in relation to ASEAN, and ASEAN centrality," he told AAP.

"There's a longstanding argument that ASEAN loses out to regional players (as a forum), and at least the prime minister is trying to address that gap."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store