Engaging with Australia’s region
The Australian Government is committed to engaging with countries in its region.
Regional engagement contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability and enhances cooperation for sustainable development and prosperity.
The 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit was held on 4 to 6 March in Melbourne. This marked 50 years of Australia’s partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Leaders shared their vision for the region, and discussed ways to strengthen practical cooperation on economic, environmental and education issues. They discussed people-to-people ties.
Leaders released 2 statements following the Special Summit:
- Leaders’ Vision Statement setting out their strategic vision for next 50 years
- Joint Leaders’ Declaration (the Melbourne Declaration).
Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, the report of the Special Envoy for Southeast Asia, Mr Nicholas Moore AO, was released on 1 September 2023. It made recommendations across a wide range of sectors and included 10 country profiles and action plans. The report informed dialogue at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.
The Australian Government reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific region in the May 2024 Budget, with more than $2 billion in development assistance to be delivered to the Pacific in 2024–25. Respect for Pacific priorities underpins Australia’s development partnerships and will be reflected in new bilateral and regional development partnership plans.
Current priorities with the Pacific include climate change mitigation and adaptation, infrastructure, education, gender equality, health and connectivity.
Developing the capability of Australian Public Service employees is essential to effectively navigate the complex and evolving dynamics of the region, where strategic engagement and cultural understanding are key to better development relationships and outcomes.
As part of the APS Reform program, 2 capability development projects were successfully piloted in a partnership between the APS Academy and Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Diplomatic Academy. Both pilots delivered excellent results in enhancing Asia and the Pacific expertise among APS employees and contributing to a more agile and responsive APS.
The APS Indo-Pacific Executive Development Program, and the Pacific Engagement: Building long-term relationships through cultural capability postgraduate microcredential, cover cultural competency, geopolitical awareness, Pacific history and culture.
Participants experienced professional growth, forged valuable connections with colleagues across agencies and gained a deeper understanding of both domestic and international contexts. This uplift enhances individual performance and strengthens the overall capability of the APS to engage with regional partners and address challenges.
The long-term benefits of these programs will be seen in a more strategically aware and culturally competent workforce that is better equipped to advance Australia's interests in the region. Learning resources are available through the APS Academy and the Diplomatic Academy to further support these outcomes.
See also in this report
Operating context – Further strengthening the Australian Public Service
Capability and leadership – APS Academy
Find out more
Australian Government (2024) 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, Prime Minister and Cabinet website, accessed 28 August 2024.
Australian Government (2024) Australia’s official development assistance budget summary 2024–25, Foreign Affairs and Trade website, accessed 28 August 2024.
Australian Government (2023) Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, Foreign Affairs and Trade website, accessed 28 August 2024.
Australian Government (2024) APS Indo-Pacific Development Program, APS Academy website, accessed 4 September 2024.
Australian Government (2024) Microcredentials, innovation and strategic partnership at the Academy, APS Academy website, accessed 4 September 2024.