Media Release
27 October 2022
27 October marks the first anniversary of the date when ASEAN and Australia made the historic decision to enter into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
The ASEAN-Australia CSP is an important step. It demonstrates Australia’s commitment to ASEAN and its central role in the Indo-Pacific region.
Reflecting on progress over the past 12 months, Australian Ambassador to ASEAN, Will Nankervis, said “Australia has ramped up cooperation with ASEAN by agreeing shared priorities, increasing resources and advancing exciting new programs”.
“We have been listening to our ASEAN counterparts and through the flagship A$200 million Australia for ASEAN Futures Initiative, have jointly agreed projects to support ASEAN priorities.”
This includes projects to support ASEAN to develop a Digital Economy Framework Agreement to realise the potential of digital economies, and to help ASEAN members develop smart, sustainable cities. Australia is also supporting the development of the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (2025-35), helping to narrow the development gap between ASEAN’s members, and supporting implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
While this is just the beginning of the projects that will be agreed over the next ten years, this illustrates the way Australia seeks to work with ASEAN under the CSP – all projects are proposed by ASEAN, jointly agreed, and taken forward with strong ASEAN ownership.
From 2023, one hundred Australia for ASEAN scholars will begin masters-level study in Australia’s top universities in fields that advance the AOIP.
Mr Nankervis added, “The Australia for ASEAN Digital Transformation and Futures Skills Initiative will aim to ensure our workforces have the skills they need for highly digitalised economies of the future.” This will see 350 technical and vocational education scholars study in Australia from next year, and bring together Australian and ASEAN institutions to advance cooperation under new skills partnerships and a policy dialogue.
As Indonesia prepares to take over the ASEAN Chair next year, it will be able to count on a strong partner in Australia, as it has during its G20 Presidency.
Australia will be with ASEAN, every step of the way.
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