Enviro News Asia, Washington, DC — ASEAN and Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability, economic growth and closer cooperation during a meeting at the Indonesian Embassy residence in Washington, DC, on Nov. 3, 2026.
The meeting brought together ambassadors from ASEAN member states serving on the ASEAN Committee in Washington (ACW), Australian Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michelle Chan, and Australia’s newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Greg Moriarty.
Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Indroyono Soesilo, who chairs the ACW, hosted the meeting at Wisma Indonesia on Tilden Street. Discussions focused on maintaining Southeast Asia as a safe, peaceful and prosperous region.
Indroyono described Australia as one of ASEAN’s closest partners, highlighting the longstanding relationship between the two sides. Australia became ASEAN’s first dialogue partner in 1974, laying the foundation for more than five decades of cooperation.
In October 2021, the relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting the expanding scope of collaboration between ASEAN and Australia.
The partnership now extends beyond diplomatic engagement to practical cooperation addressing regional development priorities and people’s needs.
During the meeting, Chan outlined the broad range of cooperation, including the digital economy, the ASEAN Power Grid, critical minerals and rare earth elements, agriculture, maritime security and defence.
These areas reflect the growing links between energy, economic development and regional security. Cross-border electricity connectivity can support the energy transition, while cooperation on critical minerals offers opportunities to strengthen supply chains for future industries.
Other areas of collaboration include trade and investment, food security, education, skills development and climate change action.
Australia also supports cooperation on cybersecurity, combating transnational crime and preventing human trafficking. Scholarships and educational exchanges further strengthen people-to-people ties, ensuring the partnership extends beyond government-to-government relations.
Moriarty highlighted the importance of promoting Southeast Asia’s regional profile in Washington. He said ASEAN and Australia could work together to present the region to US partners, including the federal government and members of Congress on Capitol Hill, as a safe, peaceful and increasingly prosperous region.
Such engagement, the meeting noted, could help provide a broader understanding of Southeast Asia—not only as a region facing strategic challenges but also as a partner offering significant economic and development opportunities.
The meeting in Washington reaffirmed the commitment of ASEAN and Australia to advancing their partnership through trust, dialogue and practical cooperation, with the aim of building a more resilient and prosperous Southeast Asia for its people. (*)
