The Times Australia
Google AI
The Times Politics

.

ASEAN Australia Virtual Summit

  • Written by Scott Morrison


PRIME MINISTER: Well thank you very much, Prime Minister Phúc, and thank you to your Excellencies and Your Majesty for the opportunity for Australia to join with you today, our ASEAN friends. So many friends who I see on the screen before me today. And I extend our warmest regards and kindest wishes to you all and what is a very difficult time, I know, throughout our region. 

 

Congratulations also Prime Minister Phúc on this first virtual ASEAN Australian summit. Indeed, I'm sure we would have all preferred to be there with you in Vietnam as I was last year. But I congratulate you in such a difficult year of being able to bring together the summit in this way and our appreciation to you and and all of those who have assisted with this outcome. 

 

I want to commend Vietnam and ASEAN for leading a strong response to COVID-19 in the spirit of a cohesive and responsive ASEAN. COVID has changed much, as we know. But ASEAN remains united as always and Australia's commitment to a region of sovereign, independent states, resilient to coercion, remains absolutely steadfast. 

 

We are more than your neighbour, as your first dialogue partner we are also your partner in the great recovery that is now occurring. ASEAN’s centrality is at the core of Australia's vision for the Indo-Pacific. We strongly support, as I've said on many occasions to you, the ASEAN outlook for the Indo-Pacific and we remain committed to working with the region and helping the region recover from COVID-19.

 

In Australia we understand that your prosperity is our prosperity. It matters to us and we're very committed to it. 

 

Under our partnerships recovery policy. We are turning this into real action once again. Australia recently committed some $500 million dollars over three years to support access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for South-East Asia and the Pacific. Equitable access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines for COVID-19 will be the central factor in our collective recovery. 

 

The support that this provides, gives us all, and particularly throughout the region, new choices based on health and science and the best health and science, and reflects our shared stake in your recovery. 

 

As part of this package we will also contribute $21 million dollars to the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases, which was launched last Thursday. 

 

And I want to outline some new initiatives to support ASEAN’s economic recovery as well. Again, in the spirit of a cohesive and responsive ASEAN and our partnership with you.

 

The first initiative is $70 million for Resilience and Recovery in Southeast Asia. The package is in line with ASEAN’s priorities. Your priorities, maritime, connectivity, sustainable development and economic cooperation. 

 

The second, even more targeted, is a $232 million dollar package for the Mekong, focussed on the environment, infrastructure, cyber and critical technologies, and scholarships. A prosperous and resilient Mekong is an important part, as I know all members of ASEAN know, a strong ASEAN.

 

As a longstanding supporter of the initiative for ASEAN integration Australia has been working with you to close the development gap. These announcements come on top of the $83 million dollars in assistance to ASEAN my Foreign Minister announced earlier this year, including the $1 million dollars for the ASEAN COVID-19 response fund. And on top of our $1 billion dollar annual development assistance for South East Asia. 

 

It goes to what Australia brings to ASEAN, a constructive approach, options, balance and deep friendship. This is what we do as neighbours and as strategic partners. And I look forward to hearing from all of you today, particularly as you've dealt with the many challenges of COVID-19. And I commend all leaders who are joining us today for your leadership in each of your own countries. It has been a very difficult year for all of us, but here in our region we are doing all we can for the betterment of our peoples. 

 

Thank you so much for your attention. 

Times Magazine

Worried AI means you won’t get a job when you graduate? Here’s what the research says

The head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, has warned[1] young people ...

How Managed IT Support Improves Security, Uptime, And Productivity

Managed IT support is a comprehensive, subscription model approach to running and protecting your ...

AI is failing ‘Humanity’s Last Exam’. So what does that mean for machine intelligence?

How do you translate ancient Palmyrene script from a Roman tombstone? How many paired tendons ...

Does Cloud Accounting Provide Adequate Security for Australian Businesses?

Today, many Australian businesses rely on cloud accounting platforms to manage their finances. Bec...

Freak Weather Spikes ‘Allergic Disease’ and Eczema As Temperatures Dip

“Allergic disease” and eczema cases are spiking due to the current freak weather as the Bureau o...

IPECS Phone System in 2026: The Future of Smart Business Communication

By 2026, business communication is no longer just about making and receiving calls. It’s about speed...

The Times Features

Technical SEO Fundamentals Every Small Business Website Must Fix in 2026

Technical SEO Fundamentals often sound intimidating to small business owners. Many Melbourne busin...

Most Older Australians Want to Stay in Their Homes Despite Pressure to Downsize

Retirees need credible alternatives to downsizing that respect their preferences The national con...

The past year saw three quarters of struggling households in NSW & ACT experience food insecurity for the first time – yet the wealth of…

Everyday Australians are struggling to make ends meet, with the cost-of-living crisis the major ca...

The Week That Was in Federal Parliament Politics: Will We Have an Effective Opposition Soon?

Federal Parliament returned this week to a familiar rhythm: government ministers defending the p...

Why Pictures Help To Add Colour & Life To The Inside Of Your Australian Property

Many Australian homeowners complain that their home is still missing something, even though they hav...

What the RBA wants Australians to do next to fight inflation – or risk more rate hikes

When the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board voted unanimously[1] to lift the cash rate to 3.8...

Do You Need a Building & Pest Inspection for New Homes in Melbourne?

Many buyers assume that a brand-new home does not need an inspection. After all, everything is new...

A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Your Office Move in Perth

Planning an office relocation can be a complex task, especially when business operations need to con...

What’s behind the surge in the price of gold and silver?

Gold and silver don’t usually move like meme stocks. They grind. They trend. They react to inflati...