Advancing security and prosperity in ASEAN

It was great to be back in Sydney recently for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit – the first time Australia has hosted ASEAN leaders in Australia. The Summit was an opportunity for Australia and ASEAN to set out a shared vision for the future of our partnership, reflected in the Sydney Declaration. 

The Philippines plays an important leadership role in ASEAN as a founding member and host during the 50th anniversary year in 2017.  Australia has recognised the central role of ASEAN since its establishment, which is why in 1974 we became ASEAN’s first dialogue partner. Since then, we have worked with ASEAN and member states to promote security and prosperity in our region. The Special Summit led to concrete commitments on security and economic engagement that will shape how we work together in coming years.

A key outcome of the Special Summit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation to Counter International Terrorism to take our engagement to the next level. The siege in Marawi last year highlighted the risk that terrorism poses not just for the Philippines, but for our region as a whole.

The MOU will facilitate information sharing between governments and enhance engagement between our security and law enforcement institutions. We will be better able to work together to address the threat posed by terrorism. Prime Minister Turnbull and Foreign Secretary Cayetano also had an in-depth discussion about our shared efforts to address terrorism, including Australia’s ongoing support to the Philippines.

The Counter-Terrorism MOU was part of a longer list of ASEAN-Australia initiatives designed to shape a more secure region. We agreed on enhanced cooperation in response to transnational crime, to work together to counter people trafficking and to implement new initiatives to strengthen the maritime cooperation capacities of regional states. This has already led to practical outcomes, like new scholarships and training opportunities.

ASEAN has also played an important role in the region’s economic growth. Today, the combined GDP of ASEAN is over $2.5 trillion and economic growth remains strong. Australia has benefited enormously from the region’s economic prosperity. As a bloc, ASEAN is one of Australia’s top three trading partners. Our two-way agricultural trade alone is worth $12.4 billion. At the Special Summit, we agreed to boost trade, investment and business links.

Leaders recognised that free trade, open markets and economic integration are essential for trade and investment to flow.  They committed to intensify work to conclude in 2018 a comprehensive and high quality Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

I was delighted at the active engagement of Philippine business leaders in the Business Summit, held in the lead up to the Special Summit.  They co-chaired elements of the CEO Forum, spoke at the Small and Medium Enterprise Conference and joined the Women in Business Breakfast.  Australian investors in the Philippines were also vocal about the opportunities they have experienced in this country.

The Philippine community in Australia welcomed Secretary Cayetano and Trade and Industry Secretary Lopez with traditional hospitality and a lively exchange of views that reinforced the diversity of interests our two countries share. 

The Special Summit was a key element of Australia’s commitment to deepen further our enduring ties with ASEAN, elaborated in the Foreign Policy White Paper launched last year.  After a few hectic days in a resplendent Sydney, attendees at this historic event could have no doubts about the depth and breadth of our commitment.

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(Amanda Gorely is the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines.  Follow her on Twitter @AusAmbPH)