Melbourne Declaration – Partnership For Future

50 Years of ASEAN-Australia Relations

1. We, Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia, gathered in Melbourne, Australia on 6 March 2024 for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations (‘Special Summit’). We welcome Timor-Leste’s participation as ASEAN Observer at the Special Summit.
2. We note that Member States of ASEAN, Timor-Leste, as ASEAN Observer, and Australia were welcomed onto the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, as an important Australian custom, during the official opening of the Special Summit. Australia acknowledges them as the Traditional Custodians of Country and pays respects to their Elders past and present.
3. The Special Summit marks a profound milestone in the partnership between ASEAN and Australia. It looks towards a new era in the relationship, focused on advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2021. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we reaffirm our friendship, mutual respect, mutual trust, shared interests and a positive vision for the region’s future.
4. We welcome the significant achievements of the Dialogue Relations between ASEAN and Australia in the last 50 years. We reaffirm our commitment to implementing and enhancing the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as outlined in the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-Australia Strategic Partnership (2020-2024), its Annex on the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and guided by future mutually agreed Plans of Action.
5. We reaffirm our mutual respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, equality, non-interference and political independence of all nations as espoused in the Charter of the United Nations, the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
6. We reaffirm our commitment to uphold ASEAN Centrality and its vital role in regional engagement. We reiterate our commitment to supporting an ASEAN-centred, open, inclusive, transparent, resilient, and rules-based regional architecture that upholds international law, built upon ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus). We commit to strengthening the EAS as the region’s premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern, and will work with other EAS participating countries in this regard.
7. We share a strong commitment to the objectives and principles of the AOIP. We note that both the AOIP and Australia’s vision for the Indo-Pacific share relevant fundamental principles to promote an open, transparent, resilient, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture that upholds international law, with ASEAN at the centre. We are committed to increasing and mainstreaming practical cooperation in the four priority areas of the AOIP, namely maritime cooperation, connectivity, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, economic and other possible areas of cooperation.
8. We reaffirm the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

Safeguarding our Region’s Security and Stability

9. In the context of complex environmental challenges, economic uncertainty and strategic competition, we reiterate our strong commitment to working together to address shared challenges, uphold the rules-based regional architecture based on adherence to international law and shape our region’s collective future. We strongly commit to maintaining and promoting peace and stability in the region, including through implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda through existing ASEAN-led mechanisms. We affirm a vision for an inclusive region, where the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations is preserved.
10. We recognise the vital role of regional and multilateral institutions in fostering cooperation, peace and prosperity. We will continue to cooperate through ASEAN-led mechanisms to promote mutual trust, mutual respect, mutual benefit, and ensure transparent, predictable and responsible conduct, so as to reduce risks of misunderstanding and miscalculation, as well as prevent disputes from escalating into conflict. We reaffirm the role of ASEAN in promoting communication and dialogue, and stress the importance of undertaking confidence building and preventive measures to enhance mutual trust and confidence among countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
11. We note the importance of working with other partners to promote an open, stable, prosperous, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region based on adherence to international law. We welcome the commitment to enhancing engagement in the wider Indo-Pacific including with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
12. To bolster peace and security in our region and address emerging common security challenges, we commit to enhancing and expanding the scope and sophistication of our practical defence cooperation. As members of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), we recommit to the ADMM-Plus framework and the value of defence cooperation as means for confidence building and conflict prevention, as well as capacity building. We note Australia’s active participation in the ADMM-Plus, including co-chairing of the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group (EWG) on Military Medicine (2021-2023) with Brunei Darussalam, and look forward to Australia’s co-chairing of the ADMM-Plus EWG on Cyber Security with Cambodia for the EWGs Cycle of 2024-2027.
13. We are committed to furthering our cooperation in countering transnational crime, including combatting trafficking in persons. We acknowledge Australia’s contributions through the ASEAN – Australia Counter-Trafficking program.
14. We underscore the importance of promoting cooperation to address humanitarian aspects of landmines and other explosive remnants of war issues in the region in accordance with the applicable treaties, conventions and instruments and respective domestic laws and policies, and commend the progress made by the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC).
15. We support ASEAN’s efforts to preserve the Southeast Asian region as a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone and free of all other weapons of mass destruction, as enshrined in the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ Treaty) and the ASEAN Charter and commit to strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime, advance nuclear disarmament as stipulated in Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy as set forth in NPT Article IV. We remain committed to universalisation of the IAEA Additional Protocol, and support full implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC) and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BTWC).=
16. Given our significant maritime interests, we affirm our shared view that our region’s prosperity and security rely on the peaceful use of seas and oceans, including the right of all States to freedom of navigation, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
17. We reaffirm the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and overflight in the region. We emphasise the importance of non-militarisation and the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities and avoid actions that may raise the risk of accidents, misunderstanding, and miscalculation and may complicate the situation. We reaffirm the need for states to pursue the peaceful resolutions of disputes, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, and to comply with the relevant standards and recommended practices by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). We continue to closely follow developments in the South China Sea and take note of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Maintaining and Promoting Stability in the Maritime Sphere in Southeast Asia.
18. We recognise the benefits of having the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity. In this regard, we support the full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in its entirety. We encourage all countries to avoid any unilateral actions that endanger peace, security and stability in the region. We emphasise the need to maintain and promote an environment conducive to the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) negotiations. We underscore the importance of further progress towards the early conclusion of an effective, and substantive COC that is consistent with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
19. We note the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/78/69 which emphasises, in the Preamble, the universal and unified character of the 1982 UNCLOS, and which reaffirms that the Convention sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out and is of strategic importance as the basis for national, regional and global action and cooperation in the marine sector, and that its integrity needs to be maintained.
20. Our maritime trade is essential for our shared prosperity. We recognise the strategic, political, economic and social importance of the maritime domain, including as outlined in the ASEAN Maritime Outlook (AMO). We reaffirm our commitment to conserving and sustainably using marine resources, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS and to addressing common challenges to these resources, including unprecedented loss of biodiversity, marine pollution, marine plastic debris and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
21. We welcome the productive discussions at the Maritime Cooperation Forum held during the Special Summit, highlighting our shared interests to maintaining and promoting prosperity, security and stability in the maritime domain, and the importance of strengthening maritime cooperation. We acknowledge the existing practical engagement already underway through the Aus4ASEAN Futures Initiative, the Marine Resource Initiative, Partnerships for Infrastructure and ASEAN-Australia Political Security Partnership. We commit to working more closely to enhance cooperation on maritime issues, in line with the AOIP. This includes addressing common maritime challenges such as maritime safety and security, sustainable management of marine resources, and maritime infrastructure, including undersea cable resilience. We commit to enhancing maritime domain awareness and information sharing and implementing the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework.
22. We discussed the developments in Myanmar and reaffirm our support for the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus as ASEAN’s main reference to address the political crisis in Myanmar. We strongly condemn the continued acts of violence and call for immediate cessation. We call for effective humanitarian assistance, and inclusive national dialogue. We appreciate the ASEAN Chairs’ continuing efforts through its respective Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar in intensifying engagement with all relevant stakeholders in Myanmar to build trust and confidence, create a conducive environment, and bridge gaps and differences leading toward an inclusive national dialogue for a comprehensive political solution. We support sustaining such engagements to push for the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus in its entirety, in line with the ASEAN Leaders’ decision made at the 42nd ASEAN Summit. We call for the continued support of ASEAN’s other External Partners, including the UN, as well as neighbouring countries of Myanmar, to work with ASEAN for concrete implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. We stress the importance of and reiterate our continued support for Myanmar’s commitment to ensure safety and security for all communities in Rakhine State as effectively as possible and facilitate the voluntary return of displaced persons in a safe, secure, and dignified manner, bearing in mind the agreement between Myanmar and Bangladesh.
23. We express grave concern over the surge in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) intercontinental ballistic missile testing and ballistic missile launches. We urge the DPRK to cease these launches and refrain from nuclear tests. In this regard, we stress the importance of endeavours to de-escalate the situation and to resume peaceful dialogue amongst all parties concerned in order to realise lasting peace and stability in a denuclearised Korean Peninsula. We call on the DPRK to fully comply with all relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. ASEAN and Australia reiterate our commitment to the full implementation of all relevant UNSC resolutions and support international efforts to bring about the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner. Diplomatic efforts, including the creation of a conducive environment for peaceful dialogue amongst all concerned parties, should remain a priority. We reiterate our readiness to play a constructive role, including through utilising ASEAN-led platforms such as the ARF in promoting a conducive atmosphere for peaceful dialogue amongst the concerned parties. We emphasise the importance of addressing humanitarian issues that are of concern to the international community.
24. We affirm, with regard to Ukraine, as for all nations, our respect for sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity. We reiterate our national positions as expressed in other fora, including the UNSC and the UN General Assembly, which, in Resolution No. ES-11/1 dated 2 March 2022, as adopted by majority vote (141 votes for, 5 against, 35 abstentions, 12 absent), deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. We call for compliance with the UN Charter and international law, and creating an enabling environment for peaceful resolution. We underscore that all states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety. In line with the UN Charter, all states shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the UN. We support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in the search for a peaceful solution. We also call for the facilitation of rapid, safe and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance for those in need in Ukraine, and for the protection of civilians, humanitarian personnel, and persons in vulnerable situations. We continue to express deep concerns of the adverse global impact of the war.
25. We reiterate our shared concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has been exacerbated following the 7 October attacks. We condemn attacks against all civilians and civilian infrastructure, leading to further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza including restricted access to food, water, and other basic needs. We urge for an immediate and durable humanitarian ceasefire. We support the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the execution of its mandate and the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza to discharge her task effectively and efficiently, and to begin the work on post-conflict reconstruction. We call for rapid, safe, unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access to all those in need, including through increased capacity at border crossings, including by sea. We call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and to abide by international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, especially women, children, the sick and the elderly. We underscore the importance of release from any arbitrary detention. We urge all parties concerned to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict with a view to realising the two-state solution based on the pre-1967 lines in accordance with international law and the relevant UNSC resolutions. We took note, and some of us underlined the importance of, the order on provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice on 26 January 2024. In this context, we reaffirm the importance of upholding international law.

Securing A Prosperous Future

26. ASEAN and Australia’s prosperity, security, stability and economic future are intertwined. We commit to working together to deliver stronger economic integration and facilitate closer exchanges between our businesses, education institutions and people.
27. ASEAN and Australia’s 50 years of partnership provides a strong foundation for further growth, including through multilateral agreements, ASEAN-led mechanisms and existing ASEAN approved sub-regional cooperation frameworks and bilateral and regional trade agreements. We emphasise the importance of leveraging these to promote economic integration in the region.
28. With highly intertwined, trade-oriented economies, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to expand, deepen and diversify trade and investment links between ASEAN and Australia. We welcome Australia’s focus on increasing two-way trade and investment with Southeast Asia and the launch of Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. We look forward to capitalising on the opportunities identified in this report to strengthen our shared economic future.
29. The Special Summit brought together Southeast Asian and Australian business representatives to explore ways to strengthen the trade and investment relationship between ASEAN and Australia. We welcome the opportunities identified during the Special Summit CEO Forum and SME Conference on ways to foster greater sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic growth and deepen two-way trade, investment and relationships. We affirm our support to facilitate stronger business linkages and networks on all sectors, including through the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, by raising awareness of opportunities, removing blockages, building capacity, increasing diversity and deepening investment.
30. We underscore the importance of free trade and open markets with respect for a rules-based, non-discriminatory, open, free, fair, inclusive, equitable, and transparent multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, which delivers greater opportunity for our peoples, industries and economies.
31. We welcome the signing of the 2nd Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), which will keep the AANZFTA relevant and open more opportunities for businesses in the region through new and enhanced provisions on trade in goods, rules of origin, trade in services, government procurement, investment, e-commerce, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and trade and sustainable development. We look forward to its timely entry into force and implementation.
32. We look forward to continuing to support the implementation of the AANZFTA and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), including to boost investment and investors’ confidence in the region, as well as contributing to stronger and more resilient regional supply chains. We commit to supporting businesses, including MSMEs, to access the full benefits of these agreements.
33. We acknowledge Australia’s existing support for ASEAN’s priorities and needs, including digital economy, energy security, food security, sustainable water resources management, and infrastructure investment. We commit to leveraging existing programmes to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the region noting the Regional Trade for Development Program, Partnerships for Infrastructure and Mekong Australia Partnership. We recalled that 13 projects were presented by Australia at the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) in September 2023 and look forward to receiving updates on the progress of the projects.
34. We commit to strengthening cooperation to advance the ASEAN connectivity agenda, including through the participation in the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and its successor document.

Promoting A Sustainable Future

35. ASEAN and Australia share concerns about the impacts of climate change. We acknowledge that climate change is a global problem requiring global and regional solutions. We reaffirm our support for the effective and full implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, the decisions negotiated upon in previous Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC, and the Conference of Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA), noting that the Paris Agreement will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances, and in the context of relevant goals and targets under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
36. We welcome Australia’s partnership with ASEAN to address climate change, environmental challenges and biodiversity loss, including through regional mitigation, adaptation and resilience efforts. We welcome the ASEAN-Australia High Level Dialogue on Climate Change and Energy Transition held on 29 September 2023 as part of these efforts. We commit to continuing to implement the ASEAN Action Plan on Joint Response to Climate Change and ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality, including through cooperation with the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change, ASEAN Centre for Energy, and ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB).
37. We recognise that global efforts towards net zero emission represents one of the most significant transformations in recent history. It offers significant socio-economic opportunities for the region. We welcome Australia’s commitment to building a resilient clean energy sector and unlocking green trade, jobs and investment. We commit to deepening business engagement on green economy.
38. We will continue to work together to address global energy security challenges now and into the future, including through accelerating efforts towards the phase down of unabated coal power, and transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner. We recognise that accelerating the energy transition and modernising our energy systems and markets will ensure stronger energy security, reliability, accessibility, sustainability, resiliency, and affordability. The pursuit of renewable and clean energy ambitions across the region, on both land and sea, will create lasting regional security.
39. We welcome constructive discussions during the Special Summit’s Climate and Clean Energy Transition Forum on priorities and practical actions to support an accelerated clean energy transition. Together, we will advance secure and diversified clean energy supply chains in the region to support the global energy transition. We underscore our commitment to strengthening cooperation to accelerate the region’s transition to renewable and clean energy, in a just and inclusive manner. This includes deepening collaboration on reducing emissions as well as decarbonising our energy systems, establishing renewable energy markets, deploying low emissions technologies and developing our workforces’ skills and capabilities to drive an inclusive energy transition. Our shared commitments to clean energy transition present an opportunity for deeper trade and investment.
40. We will continue to promote efficient and sustainable integrated water resources management, nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches, sustainable management of forests, use of renewable and alternative energy sources and green technology, cooperation on addressing transboundary haze, sustainable management of coastal, marine environment and marine resources, including through exploring cooperation on promoting the interlinkages of ocean and climate nexus to strengthen climate action in ASEAN Member States and biodiversity conservation and management.
41. We also reaffirm our shared commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sharm El-Sheikh Implementation Plan, including addressing biodiversity loss through cooperation with the ACB and implementation of the ASEAN Action Plan on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Management.
42. We look forward to exploring cooperation in addressing transboundary haze pollution, which resulted from land and/or forest fires, including support to the establishment and operationalisation of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACCTHPC) in view of the full and effective implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP).
43. We underscore the importance of ASEAN unity and Centrality in promoting ASEAN’s sub-regional development. We recognise the relevance of sub-regional development to ASEAN’s regional integration and community-building process, especially in narrowing the development gap. We reiterate the commitment to further promoting equitable and sustainable development across the ASEAN Community, aligning sub-regional growth with the comprehensive development of ASEAN. We welcome the continued support and assistance of Australia in the relevant processes including support for the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI).
44. We support the implementation of the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on the Blue Economy, with ASEAN as the driving force and Australia as one of the contributors. Development of the Blue Economy in our region, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, will serve as a powerful driver of enhanced connectivity, as well as cooperation in industry, innovation, sustainability and economic growth. We welcome the adoption of the UN Treaty on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and encourage its early signing and ratification.
45. We remain committed to building a sustainable and resilient region with enhanced capacity in the areas of disaster management and humanitarian assistance. We welcome Australia’s support to enhance ASEAN’s capacity to respond to disasters resulting from natural hazards, including through strengthening cooperation with the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) and relevant ASEAN-led mechanisms.
46. We reiterate our commitment to strengthening regional prevention, preparedness, detection, and response capabilities for health issues and emergencies, including mental health issues and emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, as well as their multi-faceted challenges, by building more resilient, equitable, inclusive and sustainable health systems, as well as promoting multisectoral cooperation through the implementation of the One Health approach, among others. We welcome support extended by ASEAN Dialogue Partners through various initiatives, including the Quad Vaccine Partnership.

Deepening Our Ties

47. ASEAN and Australia share long-standing, deep and dynamic social and cultural connections. We are committed to strengthening our people-to-people links, with a special focus on cultivating enduring connections between our region’s future leaders. We welcome the valuable discussions during the Special Summit’s Emerging Leaders’ Dialogue on pathways to achieve the SDGs and tackle the region’s pressing challenges, including through digital transformation and investment in skills and infrastructure.
48. We welcome the contribution of education, sports, arts, interfaith and cultural exchange programmes between ASEAN and Australia, including through Aus4ASEAN scholarships, the Aus4ASEAN Digital Transformation and Future Skills Initiative, Australia Awards and programmes run by the Australia-ASEAN Council and the New Colombo Plan. These programmes enrich social, cultural and creative industries linkages, and strengthen people-to-people ties between ASEAN and Australia.
49. We celebrate more than 50 years of collaboration to build human capital and education linkages between ASEAN and Australia, and through bilateral partnerships. We recognise the role education plays in developing the next generation of leaders and support ongoing initiatives, including those referenced above that strengthen networks, promote dialogue and facilitate collaborative approaches to address future global challenges. We remain committed to further expanding education partnerships, including through scholarships, exchange programmes and greater support for research collaboration, and placement programmes. We also remain committed to working collaboratively to exchange information and technical expertise about the development of occupational standards to meet the demand of local and regional labour markets. These programmes will enable our young professionals in Australia and Southeast Asia to build experience and strengthen connections.
50. We commit to continuing collaboration in promoting rural development and poverty eradication, including through the ASEAN Masterplan on Rural Development 2022-2026, and the ASEAN Villages Network, as well as promoting smart and sustainable urban planning and development, such as through the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN).
51. We also renew our commitment to further promote and protect the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and promote disability-inclusive development, including through the ASEAN Enabling Master Plan 2025: Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the ASEAN Community.
52. We commit to advancing intercultural and interfaith dialogue, and to supporting social inclusion and promoting cohesive multicultural societies, including local communities and ethnic groups, while celebrating diversity and noting the cultural heritage of the Indigenous Peoples of Australia. We welcome ongoing work to build links between the next generation of leaders, fostering the exchange of ideas, development of greater cultural literacy and mutual understanding. This will provide a solid foundation for future cooperation across government, business and civil society.
53. We renew our resolve to promote and protect the human rights of our peoples, including migrant workers and those in hard-to-reach sectors, as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant international human rights instruments to which we are parties.

Our Shared Future

54. Our 50 years of partnership have positioned us well to respond to current and emerging strategic shifts and complex challenges for a more secure, resilient and prosperous future. We are strongly committed to continuing to work together, harnessing opportunities that exist to enhance our partnership. We celebrate the 50 years of partnership to date, and welcome the future partnership before us.
55. We welcome initiatives arising from this Summit including the establishment of the ASEAN-Australia Centre and additional Australia for ASEAN (Aus4ASEAN) Scholarships and Fellowships. We look forward to further consultations in the implementation of these initiatives.

Adopted in Melbourne, Australia, on the Sixth Day of March of the Year Two Thousand and Twenty-Four, at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations.