His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam will attend the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit which will be co-chaired by Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay Siphandone, as the Chair of ASEAN this year, with Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, on March 5 and 6 in Melbourne, Australia.
The summit, held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations, will enhance ASEAN-Australia cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2021, as well as explore new cooperation opportunities to foster economic, climate change, clean energy as well as maritime cooperation efforts. Since becoming ASEAN’s first Dialogue Partner in 1974, ASEAN and Australia have worked together to address complex challenges faced by the region, in which ASEAN-Australia practical cooperation has made the region more peaceful, open, stable and prosperous.
While in Melbourne, His Majesty is also expected to hold separate meetings with Albanese and Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon, as well as attend a get-together ceremony with citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam who are in Australia and New Zealand.
His Majesty last visited Australia in June 2023 for a state visit; and in March 2018 for the ASEAN-Australia Summit in Sydney.
