SINCE Asean was founded in 1967, our region has witnessed political changes, dramatic economic transformations and social developments.
Asean is firmly established as a cornerstone of regional stability and a driver of prosperity that binds our region together, making it a global economic powerhouse and political centre of gravity.
This year, Australia is celebrating 50 years of cooperation with Asean. Australia became Asean's first Dialogue Partner in 1974, recognising Asean's central role in the diverse and vibrant Southeast Asia region.
This week, Australia is welcoming Asean leaders to Melbourne to celebrate all that we have achieved together.
The Asean-Australia Special Summit will enhance our cooperation under the Asean-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, ensuring it is a partnership for the future.
It is a concrete demonstration that Australia is invested, engaged and committed to the region.
Our approach is to listen to and understand Asean's perspectives on our shared challenges
and how we can meet them together.
Australia seeks to be a constructive and cooperative partner for Asean, supporting efforts to maintain a predictable and peaceful region.
A region that operates under agreed rules, standards and norms where Asean and Asean-led institutions hold the centre. We are deeply committed to this model.
At the summit, Australia will announce initiatives to strengthen our partnerships around business engagement, emerging leaders, climate and clean energy and maritime cooperation.
The summit will bring together the full spectrum of stakeholders — including government officials, business and industry stakeholders, technical experts, think tanks and civil society — to deepen our partnerships.
As the recently appointed ambassador of the Australian Mission to Asean, I would like to reflect on Australian cooperation with Asean.
Next year, we look forward to working with Malaysia as Asean chair, including as Asean members look to map out a new Asean community vision post-2025.
As our Asean partners look for options to boost their fast-growing economies, Australia has much to offer.
Asean is already Australia's second-largest two-way trading partner. We have a solid foundation for further growth, including through the recently upgraded Asean-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
This is in addition to bilateral trade agreements with Asean members.
Last year, Australia's prime minister launched Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
This document provides a practical roadmap to increase two way trade and investment, including by increasing opportunities for businesses in Australia and Southeast Asia.
At the summit, we will continue to advance the strategy's recommendations.
We are building a resilient clean energy sector and unlocking green trade and investment, while remaining a reliable contributor to the region's energy security as the energy transition takes place.
We are committed to working with our Asean partners to tackle shared challenges and seize opportunities.
Per capita, Australia is the largest supporter of Asean. We put our emphasis on agreement and action, cooperation and capacity.
Our A$204 million, 10-year Aus4ASEAN Futures Initiative addresses complex challenges and supports Asean-led projects.
It's always been our trademark — to build relationships based on trust.
In this spirit, the summit will be an opportunity to strengthen not only our political and security, and economic connections, but also ties between our people.
When Australians look out to the world, we see ourselves reflected in it and equally, the world can see itself reflected in Australia.
More than 170,000 people of Malaysian heritage call Australia home, including Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who was born in Sabah.
As we reflect on the past 50 years and look to the future, it is clear that Australia and Asean not only face shared challenges, but also have shared interests in a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous region.
We are privileged to enjoy this Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and to commemorate 50 years of dialogue relationship. We were there in 1974, and Australia will be with Asean every step of the way.
The writer is Australia's ambassador to Asean in Jakarta