To mark this new chapter, Australia will invest $154 million into our cooperation with Asean through:
· a new Australia for ASEAN Futures Initiative, which will provide $124 million to support projects that address complex challenges including health security, terrorism and transnational crime, energy security, promoting the circular economy and healthy oceans, and support implementation of the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP);
· one hundred Australia for Asean Scholarships to support emerging Asean leaders to study in Australia in fields that advance the AOIP under its priority areas of cooperation – maritime, connectivity, economic, and sustainable development cooperation; and
· an Australia for ASEAN Digital Transformation and Futures Skills initiative to support long-term economic recovery through 350 Vocational Education and Training (VET) scholarships, technical assistance partnerships between Australian and Asean training institutions, and new skills policy dialogue.
These investments represent the largest ever increase in Australia’s development cooperation program with Asean. It builds on the $500 million package previously announced, consistent with the four key areas of the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, and our ongoing bilateral development partnerships with Asean Members.