Albanese jets to Asia for international summit season

Andrew Brown | September 5, 2023

Anthony Albanese will look to bolster ties with regional allies in Southeast Asia as he prepares to meet with leaders at the ASEAN and East Asia summits.

The prime minister will on Tuesday fly to Indonesia before attending both summits in Jakarta.

The visit to Indonesia will be the first part of his nearly week-long trip to Asia, that includes visits to the Philippines and then India for the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

The trip to Indonesia includes the prime minister launching Australia’s Southeast Asia economic strategy to 2040 – the plan for boosting economic ties and with regional allies and two-way trade.

“This is a most substantive piece of work ever done about Australia’s relations when it comes to our economic future with Southeast Asia,” Mr Albanese told parliament.

He said the strategy – which covers agriculture, resources , renewable energy and education among other sectors – would boost Australia’s prosperity and lift living standards across the region.

The strategy was developed by former banker Nicholas Moore in consultation with business leaders and academics.

“I will announce tomorrow the first steps we are taking to implement the strategy,” Mr Albanese said.

Australian critical minerals are being widely sought as nations in the region seek to decarbonise.

Educational services are also considered to be world-class.

While in Indonesia for both summits, Mr Albanese will hold talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, as well as one-on-ones with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and leaders from Malaysia, East Timor and Laos.

President Joe Biden is not attending the East Asia Summit, with Vice President Kamala Harris to represent the US.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will also skip the East Asia Summit as well as the G20 Summit.

Regional security and tensions in the Indo-Pacific region are set to dominate talks at the summits in Jakarta.

Australian Strategic Policy Institute analyst Gatra Priyandita said the emphasis on ASEAN was crucial for Australia to maintain its strategic focus in the region.

“Anthony Albanese’s attendance shows Australia is committed to multilateralism in relation to ASEAN and ASEAN centrality,” he told AAP.

“There’s a longstanding argument that ASEAN loses out to regional players (as a forum), and at least the prime minister is trying to address that gap.”