Vietnamese PM Proposes Visionary Framework for ASEAN-Australia Ties: ‘Three Breakthroughs’, ‘Three Enhancements’, and ‘Three Togethers’
Melbourne, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính presented a visionary roadmap for the future of ASEAN-Australia relations during the Special Summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of their enduring partnership. Held in Melbourne, Australia, the summit witnessed PM Chính’s articulation of “three breakthroughs,” “three enhancements,” and “three togethers” aimed at propelling the bilateral ties between ASEAN and Australia to new heights.
In his address, Prime Minister Chính acknowledged the pivotal nature of the summit, expressing profound appreciation for the robust and enduring relationship that has characterized ASEAN-Australia ties over the past five decades. He underscored the need for concerted efforts to elevate this partnership further and proposed specific measures for achieving this goal.
Three Breakthroughs:
- Economic, Trade, and Investment Cooperation: PM Chính emphasized the imperative for breakthroughs in economic collaboration, setting the ambitious target of doubling bilateral trade within the next decade.
- Human Resource Development: Recognizing the importance of high-quality human resources and labor cooperation, the Prime Minister called for breakthroughs in this domain to strengthen the human capital foundation of ASEAN-Australia relations.
- Science-Technology Cooperation and Innovation: Focusing on the digital economy, green transformation, circular economy, and emerging sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence, PM Chính urged negotiations for an ASEAN-Australia digital economy agreement.
Three Enhancements:
- Political Trust and Cooperation: Prime Minister Chính stressed the need to enhance political trust and cooperation to ensure regional peace and security. He advocated for a culture of dialogue and cooperation, trust-building, and preventive diplomacy, urging major countries to responsibly contribute to the region’s stability.
- Sub-regional Cooperation: The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of narrowing the development gap for comprehensive, sustainable development, particularly in strategic infrastructure connectivity projects. This approach aims to foster positive economic and social transformations in underdeveloped sub-regions of ASEAN.
- Cultural Cooperation and People-to-People Exchanges: Emphasizing the significance of leveraging the strengths of over one million ASEAN-origin people, including the substantial ASEAN diaspora in Australia, PM Chính called for increased cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. This approach seeks to deepen understanding and forge close ties, especially among the youth, strengthening the long-term, solid social foundations of the ASEAN-Australia relationship.
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s comprehensive proposals delineate a strategic roadmap for the next phase of ASEAN-Australia relations, affirming the commitment to collaboration, growth, and mutual understanding between the two regions.
The Special Summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia relations reached new heights as Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính proposed a vision for a peaceful, stable, and sustainable Indo-Pacific region. PM Chính outlined the framework for ‘three togethers,’ embodying a shared commitment between ASEAN and Australia to promote a collective regional vision in three key aspects.
Shared Vision: Building a United and Self-Reliant Region
PM Chính advocated for collaboration in constructing a united and self-reliant region capable of withstanding internal and external shocks. Embracing trends such as innovation, digital transformation, green initiatives, circular economy practices, and artificial intelligence, the goal is to accelerate comprehensive, sustainable, and inclusive growth. The emphasis is on leaving no one behind in this collective pursuit.
Shared Vision: Respecting International Law and Norms
The second aspect entails fostering a region that upholds international law, adhering to the United Nations Charter, and respecting the rules and norms of ASEAN. Prime Minister Chính stressed the importance of developing new rules and norms, particularly the establishment of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. This initiative aims to contribute to transforming the South China Sea into a region marked by peace, stability, cooperation, and development.
Shared Vision: Creating an Open, Inclusive, and Regionally Integrated Structure
The third ‘together’ involves the joint effort to build an open, inclusive, and regionally integrated structure. Multilateralism and the centrality of ASEAN are emphasized as core factors in harmonizing interests among major countries. This approach aims to shape a cooperative framework that will stand as a beacon for regional collaboration and understanding.
Multi-Faceted Relations: Celebrating Achievements and Nurturing Growth
During the summit, leaders from ASEAN countries and Australia expressed satisfaction with the dynamic development of relations, particularly since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership in 2014, elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021.
Bilateral relations have witnessed significant growth, with trade reaching over US$101 billion in 2022, representing a nearly 20% increase from the previous year. Australian foreign direct investment in ASEAN exceeded $2 billion, marking a 6.5-fold increase compared to 2021.
Australia, the first dialogue partner to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN, has been actively contributing to the development of the ASEAN Community. In addition to economic cooperation, Australia has granted scholarships, provided financial and technical assistance, and supported connectivity initiatives in the Mekong sub-region.
Future Development Orientations: Strengthening Economic Cooperation and Fostering Innovation
Both sides have committed to significant transformations in economic, trade, and investment cooperation. This includes the effective implementation of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Areas such as innovation, digital economy, green transformation, energy transition, e-commerce, and connectivity are identified as new drivers for economic growth.
Australia’s announcement of an additional AUD222.5 million ($145 million) to drive cooperation with Mekong sub-region countries, establishment of a $2 billion investment fund, and other initiatives underscore its commitment to fostering trade and investment with ASEAN.
Common Challenges and Unified Solutions: Emphasizing Dialogue, Cooperation, and Rule-of-Law
In light of complex global and regional developments, the leaders highlighted the importance of dialogue, cooperation, trust-building, and conflict prevention. The summit emphasized the role of international law and multilateralism in addressing common challenges.
Maintaining peace, stability, and the safety of navigation in the South China Sea were emphasized, with a call for the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). The leaders underscored the significance of peacefully resolving disputes based on international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), and urged the early development of a substantive, effective, and legally binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).
In a historic conclusion, the leaders adopted the “ASEAN-Australia Leaders’ Vision Statement – Partners for Peace and Prosperity” and the “Melbourne Statement – A Partnership for the Future,” outlining a comprehensive vision for the future and providing a clear direction for development across all areas. The summit stands as a testament to the enduring commitment of ASEAN and Australia to forge a path of mutual prosperity, cooperation, and regional stability.
