Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Marise Payne recently visited Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia to advance relationships with key partners, strengthening our shared work in promoting the region’s economic and health recovery from COVID-19.

In Malaysia, Minister Payne co-chaired the Australia-Malaysia Annual Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, the Hon. Dato’ Saifuddin bin Abdullah – the first since our relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in January 2021.

At this meeting, Dato’ Saifuddin and Foreign Minister Payne warmly welcomed the excellent state of the Australia-Malaysia relationship and reinforced the importance of the continuing implementation of our commitments under the CSP, towards our shared COVID-19 recovery.

Both Foreign Ministers discussed the major strategic and economic issues and developments in the region, and spoke about a commitment to working together on these shared challenges, including on mental health, vaccine access, maritime security, terrorism, and cyber security.

Australia and Malaysia are also committed to upholding and supporting ASEAN centrality and together, welcomed the agreement to establish an Australia-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Australia is ASEAN’s oldest dialogue partner, and our $154 million investment will further partner with ASEAN to tackle shared challenges and build leaders of the future.

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