They were filled with ambition, hope and the drive to help our two countries and ASEAN to continue to grow and prosper.

These are the Indonesian “Australia for ASEAN Scholars”, who are benefitting from the practical initiatives under the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

They are from different walks of life, from government agencies, NGOs, research institutes and the private sector, and they will explore diverse challenges in their studies.

From helping rural communities and small and medium-sized enterprises to seize the benefits of rapidly digitalizing economies, to deepening cooperation between Indonesia and Australia on maritime issues and the oceans that bind us, to helping the economies of ASEAN to integrate even more closely. 

They will join young professionals from the nine other ASEAN countries — 100 students in all — to embark on masters-level degrees in Australia, building on the strong connections between the people of Australia, Indonesia and ASEAN.

Today, Oct. 27, marks one year since ASEAN and Australia entered into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

This was a historic decision that recognized that only by working together can we tackle some of the region’s most pressing challenges—climate change, rapid digitalization, and knowledge and skills development.

So how else are we taking the CSP forward, and what is it achieving?

We have been listening to our ASEAN counterparts and their priorities, and through the flagship A$200 million (US$128 million) Australia for ASEAN Futures Initiative – which provides a flexible mechanism to support ASEAN-driven projects – we are making strong progress.

The ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives and I have already jointly agreed a range of Futures Initiative projects, which are now being implemented. 

These projects are supporting ASEAN to develop a Digital Economy Framework Agreement to realize the potential of digital economies, and to help members develop smart, sustainable cities. 

They are also supporting the development of the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (2025-2035), helping to narrow the development gap between ASEAN’s members, and supporting implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

Separately, we are ensuring our workforces have the skills they need for highly digitalized economies of the future through the Australia for ASEAN Digital Transformation and Futures Skills Initiative, which will see 350 technical and vocational education scholars study in Australia from next year.

This initiative will also bring together Australian and ASEAN institutions to swap experiences and advance cooperation under new skills partnerships and a policy dialogue.

All this builds on almost 50 years of deep and broad cooperation since Australia became ASEAN’s first dialogue partner in 1974. 

For decades we have worked with ASEAN across its three community pillars — in areas like combatting trafficking in persons, ensuring our Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN and New Zealand (AANZFTA) delivers for businesses and consumers, and supporting the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases.

As Indonesia prepares to take over the ASEAN chair next year, it will be able to count on a strong partner in Australia, as it has during its Group of 20 presidency.

For Australia, the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is an important step forward, demonstrating our commitment to ASEAN and its central role in the Indo-Pacific.

We have built strong momentum under the CSP.  And as we work to tackle the challenges of the future together, Australia will continue to listen and respond to ASEAN priorities. 

We are committed to deepening our engagement with Southeast Asia and to taking forward tangible, flexible, reliable cooperation that delivers for the people of the region.

The initiatives announced in Australia’s Budget earlier this week complement the work we are already doing in Southeast Asia and with ASEAN.

We will be more ambitious on climate action, we will help our economies grow for the future and we will work with our neighbors on the most pressing challenges.

In the words of Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Australia wants to see a regional order with ASEAN at the center. 

A strong, cohesive ASEAN is strongly in Australia’s interests. Australia will be with ASEAN, every step of the way.

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The writer is Australian Ambassador to ASEAN.