The Prime Minister of Thailand participated in the 1st ASEAN-Australia Summit where he proposed the strengthening of cooperation in public health, economic recovery, especially through the Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model, and people-to-people connectivity in order to lay a solid foundation for a robust and sustainable post-COVID world.

On 27 October 2021, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, participated in the 1st ASEAN-Australia Summit, which is the first annual Summit between both sides following the convening of a Biennial Summit in previous years. The Meeting discussed on the COVID-19 response and ways forward for sustainable recovery and agreed to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Australia. The Prime Minister emphasised on constructive and concrete engagement in the region to create a conducive environment for a balanced recovery and sustainable development so that both sides could reinvent our countries and region to be ready for the ‘Next Normal’.

The Prime Minister underscored the need to lay a solid foundation for a robust and sustainable post COVID-19 world through enhancing cooperation in the areas of public health, including enhancing vaccine security and self-reliance in ASEAN, BCG Economy Model through research and development in various areas, people-to-people connectivity, especially for students to be able to continue their studies in Australia, and concrete cooperation in areas under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

The Honourable Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia, reiterated Australia’s support for ASEAN centrality, ASEAN-led mechanisms and concrete cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The Prime Minister of Australia also announced a new ‘Australia for ASEAN Future Initiatives’ to further support ASEAN in areas of mutual interest with an initial focus on the COVID-19 recovery, health security, and circular economy.

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