Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and other leaders at the official welcome ceremony of the ASEAN-Australian Special Summit in Melbourne.
In his speech, Albanese told the ASEAN leaders that the gathering is a celebration of every citizens’ achievements over the past five decades of deepening economic cooperation, broadening two-way investments, and strengthening the bonds of trust and friendship.
“Five decades where the centrality of ASEAN has helped to underpin the stability, prosperity, and security of the region we proudly call home. Five decades where each of us has helped build a strong and broad foundation,” Albanese said.
“While we honor the vision of praise the legacy of the leadership brought this form together half a century ago, what happens next is up to us. That is the challenge confronting each of us and it is a transformative set of opportunities in reach of all of us,” he added.
Albanese said the ASEAN Summit is not only an activity of the government leaders, but also of the business leaders and innovators who have helped shape the economic landscape of the ASEAN region.
He also welcomed representatives from various civil society and education sectors who have shared their ideas, accelerating the transition to clean energy and making the environmental challenge of climate change.
“Expanding our maritime cooperation for a shared security and mutual prosperity. And making sure that the big changes reshaping the global and regional are harnessed in the interest of our people,” Albanese said.
Before concluding his speech, the Australian Prime Minister said he is looking forward to continuing the discussions, to affirm a shared vision for the ASEAN region, and to agree in new ways to support the ASEAN outlook of the Indo-Pacific and achieve a more stable, peaceful and prosperous future.
President Marcos is in Melbourne, Australia for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit and secured at least $1.53 billion, or PhP86 billion investment deals from the business community in Australia. PND
