Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, along with other ASEAN Heads of State/Government, has attended the Plenary Session of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations. The event took place in Melbourne this morning under the co-chairmanship of H.E. Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, and H.E. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic as the ASEAN Chair for 2024. The ASEAN and Australian leaders are expected to adopt the Melbourne Declaration and the ASEAN-Australia Leaders' Vision Statement at the end of the summit. The Special Summit is an opportune moment for Leaders to chart future directions together and further deepen relations through full and effective implementation of key priorities under the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Addressing the official reception yesterday, H.E. Anthony Albanese as the host said Australia and AS EAN have attained numerous achievements in their relationship over the past five decades. 'Five decades of deepening our economic co-operation, broadening our two-way investment and strengthening the bonds of trust and friendship between our peoples and nations. Five decades where the centrality of ASEAN has helped to underpin the stability, prosperity and security of the region we call home. Five decades where each of us has helped build a strong and broad foundation. But only a foundation. And while we honour the vision and praise the legacy of the leaders who brought this forum together, half a century ago. What happens next is up to us. That is the challenge confronting each of us - and it is the transformative set of opportunities in reach of all of us,' he underlined. According to the host, Australia's two-way trade with ASEAN is worth around AUD180 billion a year, while the investment totals nearly AUD300 billion. 'That's the level of engagement we bring to this forum - that's the foundation we want to build on. ASEAN is set to be the fourth-largest economy in the world by 2040. And Australia wants to be a partner in this growth and prosperity, not an observer. Not on the outside looking in, part of it - engaged and invested. That's why my Government's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy is called: Invested,' H.E. Anthony Albanese said. During his stay in Melbourne since Mar. 2, Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet has paid high attention to his economic diplomacy by meeting with many Australian businessmen and leaders of different nations in the region. Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse