ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn has affirmed the Secretariat’s readiness to promote ASEAN-Australia cooperation on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Dialogue Relationship between the two parties this year.
The readiness for cooperation was conveyed by the Secretary-General when he received a Letter of Credence (LOC) from the newly appointed Australian Ambassador to ASEAN Tiffany McDonald.
Through an official statement received by Indonesia Window here on Thursday, Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn emphasized the importance of the ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relationship contributing to development and enhancing peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
He also emphasized the commitment of both parties to further strengthen the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Ambassador Tiffany McDonald also appreciated the remarks from Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn, reaffirming ASEAN as an important partner for Australia and Australia’s commitment to further strengthen cooperation with ASEAN under the ASEAN-Australia partnership.
Ambassador McDonald also expressed her commitment to supporting ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN Community Building efforts, while looking forward to working with the ASEAN Secretariat in advancing ASEAN-Australia relations.
ASEAN and Australia have had a Dialogue Relationship since 1974, which was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2014 to mark the 40th anniversary of the relationship.
The two sides agreed on the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021. Over the past 50 years, cooperation between ASEAN and Australia has continued to grow, deepen and expand to cover a wide range of areas across the three pillars of the ASEAN Community.
The two sides are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Dialogue Relations this year with the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit planned to be held in Melbourne, Australia, on March 4-6, 2024.