Sydney (VNA) – The ASEAN Committee in Canberra (ACC) on August 12 hosted a reception to mark the 57th anniversary of the ASEAN (August 8, 1967-2024) and the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Partnership.
Speaking at the event, Australia's Governor-General Sam Mostyn underscored that 2024 is a particularly meaningful year, marking the half-century milestone of the partnership, and highlighted Australia’s pride in its robust and lasting relationship with the Southeast Asian regional bloc.
Over the past five decades, as ASEAN’s first dialogue partner and through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Australia collaborated with the bloc to foster peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. The special summit held in Melbourne in March commemorating 50 years of ASEAN-Australia relations was a testament to this ongoing commitment.
Mostyn also emphasised the outcomes of the summit has helped reinforce both sides’ dedication to continued cooperation and that Australia eagerly anticipates the opportunities ahead, committed to advancing together with ASEAN.
Philippine Ambassador to Australia, Hellen B. De Le Vega, who currently chairs the ACC, highlighted ASEAN's role as a vital trading partner for Australia. She expressed enthusiasm for expanding cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy and green transition, while also strengthening infrastructure, institutional frameworks, and people-to-people connections in the region.
The diplomat pledged to continue fostering dialogues and supporting initiatives, including the newly established ASEAN-Australia Centre which aims to deepen economic, educational, cultural, and people-to-people ties between Australia and Southeast Asia.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam thanked the Governor-General for her support to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Australia, and said he hopes that the Australian official will continue to assist the expansion of bilateral cooperation, including high-level exchanges between the two nations./.
