26 April 2016 - The Philippines, led by Assistant Secretary Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) – Office of ASEAN Affairs, recently participated in the 28th ASEAN-Australia Forum, held in Canberra on April 21 and 22.
This year’s Forum was co-chaired by Australian SOM Leader Gary Quinlan and Country Coordinator Myanmar SOM Leader Aung Lynn. During the dialogue, ASEAN and Australia reviewed the status of political-security, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation in support of ASEAN's Vision 2025. Both sides committed to deepen existing cooperation as they prepare for the 1st biennial ASEAN-Australia Summit in September 2016 in Lao PDR.
There was an extensive discussion on regional and international developments. Assistant Secretary De La Vega remarked that the “Australian desire to deepen engagement with ASEAN and regional partners as positive in maintaining a rules-based regional order.”
ASEAN and Australia underlined the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and agreed that disputes should be resolved peacefully, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, and without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with universally-recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS. Both sides concurred that the regional architecture must continue to evolve as an ASEAN-centric and rules-based order and agreed to explore further joint action under the East Asia Summit, ADMM-Plus, ASEAN Regional Forum, Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum and other ASEAN-led mechanisms.
The Forum welcomed the trajectory of cooperation in support of ASEAN economic integration in such areas as services, agriculture, tourism, and regulatory reform.
Australia is also providing technical assistance in the development of a new ASEAN connectivity agenda for 2025 and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan III. ASEAN and Australia are both keen to advance ASEAN-Australia connectivity. Assistant Secretary De La Vega emphasized that the “Northern Territory's significant endowments in energy, mining and agriculture could be integrated into ASEAN supply chains. We are also hopeful that addressing challenges on transport connectivity between BIMP-EAGA and the Northern Territory will pave the way for infrastructure development, trade and investment promotions, and economic growth.” As an effort to revitalize this partnership, the 4th BIMP-EAGA-Darwin Dialogue will be held from April 27 to 29 in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
The Forum agreed to deepen and explore new areas of cooperation, particularly in the fields of science, technology, and innovation (STI), cybersecurity, non-proliferation, migration, trafficking in persons, as well as youth and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides welcomed the creation of the ASEAN-Australia Council, which is taking a lead in promoting women's economic empowerment and educational exchanges.
Prior to the Dialogue, Assistant Secretary De La Vega was invited to participate in the Special Visits Program (SVP) of the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). During her visit, the Assistant Secretary met with key policymakers in the Australian government, business leaders, and the academe. Both sides had constructive discussions and agreed to work closely together in advancing shared priorities during the Philippines' ASEAN Chairmanship in 2017, where ASEAN will celebrate its 50th anniversary. END