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​His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a titah highlights that ASEAN and Australia have nurtured a close friendship based on mutual trust and respect since 1974, which has enabled the expansion of areas of cooperation and address many shared and common challenges. The partnership has contributed to regional peace and prosperity that led to the establishment of the ASEAN–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021. His Majesty made the titah while attending the Plenary Session of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, along with Heads of State and Government of ASEAN, Australia and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste at the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre, MCEC. The Special Summit was held to celebrate 50 years since Australia became ASEAN's first Dialogue Partner in 1974 and aimed to enhance ASEAN-Australia cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Touching on people-to-people initiatives including the New Colombo Plan, Australia Awards Scholarships and “Australia for ASEAN Initiatives", His Majesty emphasises that these programs are fundamental to the close ASEAN–Australia relations and are crucial investments to build lasting linkages and understanding between the people of ASEAN and Australia, which will ensure the partnership remains strong in the years to come. To this end, His Majesty expresses appreciation with the scholarships provided to Brunei Darussalam as well as Australia's announcement of additional scholarships to commence in 2025. On the economic front, His Majesty underscores the importance of economic cooperation to the ASEAN–Australia relationship, in which the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA continues to be the most comprehensive, high-quality and modern FTA in the region which has also served as a reference in negotiating the R-CEP to further expand trade and investment in the wider region. Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen.

The Plenary Session of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit began with opening remarks by The Honourable Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia and His Excellency Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic as Chair of ASEAN.

The Monarch in a titah says Australia's “Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040" that calls for increasing investments and building capacities of the region, with “digital economy" as a priority are very well appreciated. His Majesty emphasises on the relevance of the Strategy especially as ASEAN's digital economy is expected to grow to 1 trillion US Dollars by 2030, and that ASEAN is currently working on developing a Digital Economy Framework Agreement.

In addition, His Majesty also engaged in constructive discussions with other leaders during the plenary session in strengthening the ASEAN-Australia cooperation under the three pillars of the ASEAN Community. The leaders also expressed their views and focus on several topics, amongst others, ASEAN Centrality, the stability and prosperity of the ASEAN region and Australia; the updated ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement; Digital Economy Framework Agreement, DEFA; digital economy; green energy, energy transition and renewable energy; trade and investment; maritime connectivity and also climate change. At the end of the Plenary Session, the Melbourne Declaration: A Partnership for the Future and the ASEAN-Australia Leaders' Vision Statement: Partners for Peace and Prosperity were adopted. His Majesty, together with other leaders then attended a luncheon hosted by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, the Governor of Victoria at the State Drawing room, Government House Victoria.

Source:
RTB NEWS

by RTB NEWS

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