Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, the Hon Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, co-chaired the 6th Malaysia-Australia Annual Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AFMM) on 4 December 2024 in Kuala Lumpur.
Both Ministers acknowledged the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations, highlighting their shared interests in regional stability, respect for sovereignty, and fostering shared economic prosperity. Both Ministers reiterated our shared commitment to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) implementation and noted the significant progress made since its agreement in 2021. Both Ministers also emphasised how both countries are deeply connected through the historical ties, people-to-people links, defence and security, and strategic economic cooperation.
Both Ministers acknowledged the outcomes of the 2nd Annual Leaders’ Meeting in March 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. The Ministers welcomed high-level engagements between both countries and noted the 6th AFMM signified a positive momentum in advancing further the close cooperation under the ambit of CSP.
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
The Ministers commended the substantial progress made under the CSP since its establishment in 2021 and reaffirmed their commitment to continue to deepen cooperation across its three pillars: Economic Prosperity; Society and Technology; and Defence and Regional Security.
Both Ministers acknowledged the ongoing effort to conclude the negotiation of Memoranda of Understanding – concerning Cooperation on Immigration; Transnational Crime; Education; Cooperation and Assistance relating to Civil Maritime Law Enforcement Operations; and Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Authorized Economic Operator.
Economic Prosperity
Both Ministers expressed confidence in the continued growth of economic ties and bilateral trade and investment. Both Ministers looked forward to the convening of the 20th Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting and 3rd Joint Trade Committee Senior Officials’ Meeting (JTC SOM) in 2025.
The Ministers also expressed strong interest and willingness to explore more trade and investment opportunities between the two countries, especially in pivotal sectors such as the green economy, agrifood, energy, digital technology, petrochemical and chemicals, electrical and electronics, and minerals. Australia is well-positioned to assist Malaysia to maintain its energy security and navigate the transition.
Australia welcomed investments from Malaysia to support ambitions under A Future Made in Australia. The Ministers discussed Australia’s ongoing efforts to lift two-way trade and investment through implementation of Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. Malaysia welcomed recent business missions to Malaysia aimed at further strengthening economic ties between the two countries. Malaysia further welcomed investments from Australia that are aligned with the goals under Malaysia’s New Investment Policy and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030).
Both Ministers acknowledged Australia and Malaysia’s close cooperation in advancing the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). The Ministers welcomed the conclusion and signing of IPEF Supply Chain Agreement, Clean Economy Agreement, Fair Economy Agreement and the Agreement on IPEF, which have been ratified by Malaysia. The Ministers also welcomed IPEF’s cooperative efforts, including to strengthen supply chain resilience, accelerating our net zero transition through regional hydrogen trade, and supporting regional anti-corruption efforts. The Ministers welcomed the outcomes achieved during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the region. The Ministers expressed the importance of continued close economic collaboration in APEC to keep trade free, fair and open for the benefit of all our people and economies.
The Ministers welcomed the outcomes from the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in February 2024. They reaffirmed the importance of the multilateral rules-based trading system with the WTO at its core, including as a means for responding to economic coercion. They reiterated their commitment to strengthen and reform the WTO, including by restoring a fully functioning dispute settlement system as soon as possible. The Ministers welcomed continued cooperation between Australia and Malaysia to bring new plurilateral agreements into force, particularly on Electronic Commerce and Investment Facilitation for Development. They recognized the positive role of further discussions to address existing and emerging global trade challenges at the WTO, including through agricultural reform.
The Ministers highlighted the two countries’ long-standing, vibrant and complementary trade and investment relationship, based on a common interest in free, fair and open trade. Both Ministers welcomed growing economic integration through Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA). Against this backdrop, both Ministers agreed to continue preparatory work on a General Review to ensure MAFTA continues to deliver benefits for our two economies. Both Ministers welcomed deepening regional economic integration through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA). Ministers also welcomed the entry into force of the Second Protocol to Amend, and upgrade AANZFTA.
The Ministers reiterated their commitment to prioritise efforts to energise and modernise the Australia-Malaysia partnership, to ensure both economies are digitally advanced, safe and resilient. They are committed to deepening practical cooperation on the digital economy in order for both countries to achieve shared goals. Both Ministers further acknowledged the ongoing efforts to deepen business-led cooperation on the digital economy, the green economy, cyber, renewable energy and critical minerals.
Both Ministers reflected on strong bilateral trade ties that exist in agriculture, fisheries and forestry and welcomed the progress on technical cooperation, including under the Malaysia-Australia Agricultural Cooperation Working Group to strengthen food security, including commitment to continue the discussion on the Strategic Halal Partnership.
Society and Technology
The Ministers reiterated the importance of building and maintaining robust democratic institutions, supported by professional and highly motivated civil services. Both Ministers discussed ways to increase collaboration between respective governments under the Australia-Malaysia Institutional Strengthening Program, including to facilitate institutional exchanges between parliamentary and civil service agencies as well as advanced governance reforms. Both Ministers acknowledged recent efforts to strengthen cooperation between Malaysia and Australia in legal and institutional reform initiatives.
The Ministers acknowledged the mutual economic and social benefits of longstanding education cooperation between Australia and Malaysia. Both Ministers agreed to continue to cultivate talented and interoperable workforces. Both Ministers recognised the benefits of two-way exchange and mobility as Malaysia continued to be a popular destination for Australian New Colombo Plan scholars while Australia continues to be a popular destination for Malaysian students as well as public servants. Both Ministers noted the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) cooperation, and expressed hopes for greater collaboration among universities to benefit both nations.
The Ministers expressed mutual interest in fostering collaboration across several educational areas. They explored collaboration opportunities in STEM, digital technology, transnational education and vocational training. The partnership would encompass institutional development through curriculum design, technical support, professional development, and facility development. Both Ministers looked forward to progressing education ties through the signing of an MoU in school education. The Ministers noted their shared ambition for more collaborative efforts that would benefit both countries with the signing of the memorandum.
The Ministers emphasised the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding on Youth and Sports in strengthening collaboration, empowering youth, and advancing sports development to create impactful opportunities for youths. Both Ministers looked forward to progress further the strong partnership framework which focuses on Malaysia-Australia youth exchange programme along with collaborative sports activities to deepen both nations’ shared agenda.
The Ministers welcomed collaboration between agencies under Malaysia’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Science, Innovation and Technology and Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on the development of vaccine manufacturing and capability. Both Ministers welcomed the signing of Competency Training Agreement (CTA) for Human Vaccine Development Project between both countries. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is extending support to build the Malaysian Genome and Vaccine Institutes’ (MGVI)-National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM) capacity and capability to manufacture microbial-based vaccines locally at the pilot Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility.
The Ministers welcomed the ambitious outcomes of COP29 and reaffirmed their respective commitments to address climate change, including by transitioning to net zero GHG emissions by 2050. Both Ministers welcomed an expansion of bilateral cooperation on green shipping and maritime decarbonisation and the clean energy transition. They welcomed the progress of the Green Bunkering Regulatory Roadmap to support the establishment of green fuel bunkering in the maritime sector and agreed to explore deepening cooperation on the green economy.
The Ministers welcomed the growth in people-to-people ties and continued cooperation on tourism and culture. Both Ministers acknowledged the rich contribution of Indigenous Peoples and culture and the significance of First Nations perspectives. Ministers discussed their shared interest in continued collaboration on immigration and border control matters without compromising the security levels of both countries. Malaysia also welcomed Australian travellers to visit Malaysia in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026.
Defence and Regional Security
The Ministers welcomed the depth of our longstanding defence and security cooperation, emphasising the ongoing importance of the Malaysia-Australia Joint Defence Program and the value of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA). The Ministers also reiterated their continued commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements, which is the only multilateral security agreement of its kind in Southeast Asia. Both Ministers commended initiatives including the Malaysia-Australia Future Leaders program and sister school arrangement between the Australian and Malaysian Defence College. Ahead of the next Malaysia-Australia Joint Defence Program (MAJDP) High Level Committee (HLC) Meeting, both Ministers expressed the value of continuous engagements at the strategic and the working level.
The Ministers welcomed the extensive maritime cooperation between Australia and Malaysia, and as maritime nations, noted the importance of a peaceful and stable maritime domain. They acknowledged the importance of strengthening cooperation to enhance maritime domain awareness, strengthen maritime security, and promote understanding of and uphold the law of the sea. The Ministers welcomed progress on implementation of the Maritime Cooperation Package, which was announced by the Leaders at the 2nd Annual Leaders Meeting in March 2024. Both Ministers welcomed updates to the package, including the addition of new initiatives, to further strengthen and broaden bilateral maritime cooperation. The Ministers welcomed the inaugural annual Malaysia-Australia Track 1.5 Maritime Cooperation Dialogue held on 21 November 2024 and the discussions between the two countries on wide-ranging maritime-related issues. They also acknowledged the opportunities presented by this dialogue to explore, expand and elevate the extent of maritime cooperation between Malaysia and Australia. Both Ministers also welcomed the launch of the ANCORS Southeast Asia Maritime Institute at the University of Wollongong Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Campus, which will help establish Kuala Lumpur as a regional hub for law of the sea training and maritime excellence. The Ministers affirmed ongoing commitment to Operation REDBACK, the longstanding bilateral maritime security program between the Australian Border Force and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency combatting maritime crime and preventing vulnerable people from risking their lives at sea.
The Ministers emphasised the ongoing importance of cooperation between both countries in the area of cybersecurity through existing regional and international platforms. Recognising the cyber domain as the new frontier that requires collaboration to increase security and resilience, both Ministers looked forward to further progress initiatives under the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Cyber Security to enhance cooperation on cyber security, which would drive economic prosperity, protect national security, and promote international stability. Both Ministers reiterated their commitment to the convening of ASEAN-Australia Cyber Policy Dialogue and the development of an ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Strategy 2026-2030.
Both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to furthering cooperation on traditional and non-traditional security issues, including countering terrorism, violent extremism and other transnational crimes, such as narcotics trafficking, money laundering, combatting trafficking in persons and people-smuggling, and promoting safe and regular migration. Both Ministers welcomed the review and update of the current Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Enforcement Cooperation between Australian Border Force and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
The Ministers shared the goal of a world without nuclear weapons and underscored the urgent need for progress on disarmament. Both expressed their commitment to strengthening the disarmament and non-proliferation regime, including through the cornerstone Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The Ministers welcomed continued engagement with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons trilateral twinning program, the bilateral Practical Arrangement that provides a platform for improvements in Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty monitoring for nuclear weapons testing and the building of practical regional safeguards capabilities through the Asia-Pacific Safeguards Network, which Australia will chair in 2025 and 2026.
Regional and Global Cooperation
The Ministers reiterated their commitment to promoting a region that is peaceful, secure, stable, and prosperous defined by respect for sovereignty and international law, including through implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. The Ministers expressed their support for ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN-led regional architecture that is open, transparent, rules-based and inclusive, including the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum, and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus. The Ministers expressed their ongoing support for the practical implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. The Ministers welcomed concrete progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) that is meaningful, substantive and mutually beneficial and committed to working closely together to achieve its goals and objectives, including during Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.
The Ministers reiterated their support for Timor-Leste’s full ASEAN membership. Both Ministers noted Timor-Leste’s efforts to prepare for full membership and highlighted the success of the trilateral Australia-Malaysia-Timor-Leste capacity building program held in Dili in October 2024. Both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue providing capacity building assistance to assist Timor-Leste meet the milestones in the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s Full Membership in ASEAN adopted by the ASEAN Leaders at the 42nd ASEAN Summit on 10 May 2023.
Australia outlined the Quad’s agenda for the region, including its strong support for ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
The Ministers expressed their deep concern at the continued suffering of the people of Myanmar including women, girls and persons with a disability as a result of the 2021 military coup and strongly condemned the continued acts of violence, including conflict-related sexual violence. The Ministers urged the military regime to take concrete action to immediately halt indiscriminate violence, denounce any escalation, release those unjustly detained, allow safe and unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to engage in inclusive national dialogue. Both Ministers reaffirmed their strong support for the people of Myanmar and their aspirations for a return to the path of inclusive democracy, and for ASEAN-led efforts and the Five-Point Consensus to address the political crisis in Myanmar, which should be implemented in its entirety.
The Ministers reiterated serious concern about developments in the South China Sea, that undermine peace, security and stability in the region. Ministers highlighted the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, in accordance with international law. They encouraged all parties to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities and avoid actions that may raise the risk of accidents, misunderstanding and miscalculation. They emphasised the need for all States to resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They noted that maritime claims must be consistent with UNCLOS. Both Ministers noted that it is important for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to be consistent with international law, including UNCLOS.
The Ministers reiterated their commitment to promoting an Indo-Pacific region that is open, stable, inclusive and transparent, underpinned by respect for sovereignty and adherence to agreed rules and norms. They also reiterated the importance of promoting dialogue and practical measures to reduce the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation as well as prevent conflict in the region.
The Ministers underscored the importance of promoting transparency and confidence-building among all countries, and to promote peace and security in the region. Both Ministers stressed the significance of core principles enshrined in the UN Charter, ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), and the Zone of Peace, Freedom, and Neutrality (ZOPFAN).
The Ministers discussed the deeply concerning situation in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion. They acknowledged that conflict had serious implications for the region, including disruption of food and energy supplies. Both sides expressed concern on the deepening of the military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, that constitutes a further breach of international law, including the UN Charter. Consistent with UN General Assembly Resolution No. ES-11/6 dated 23 February 2023, the Ministers demanded Russia immediately withdraw its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, and underlined the need to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine as soon as possible, consistent with the UN Charter, including the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. They urged Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They called for unhindered access to humanitarian assistance for those in need in Ukraine, as well as adherence to the applicable norms of international humanitarian and human rights law.
The Ministers emphasised the global benefits of stable China-US relations. They urged all nations to maintain actions that promote regional peace, stability, and economic growth. Both Ministers affirmed their commitment to fostering positive and mutually beneficial relationships with all countries.
The Ministers acknowledged the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also noted that we all have a stake in conflict prevention, and the importance of open communication, reassurance and transparency.
The Ministers welcomed the ceasefire agreement to bring an end to hostilities in Lebanon, and expressed their hope that this be a catalyst for an end to the war in Gaza. Both Ministers reiterated their shared concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. They called for an immediate permanent ceasefire. All parties must respect civilian lives and adhere to international law, including international humanitarian law. They repeated calls on Israel to allow and facilitate the rapid, safe, and unimpeded flow of lifesaving humanitarian relief to Palestinians in Gaza, and for all aid workers to be protected to enable their lifesaving work. They called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages as well as for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Both Ministers underscored the importance of release from any arbitrary detention. The Ministers strongly advocated for de-escalation and the need for a political resolution that achieves a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security within internationally agreed borders, based on the pre-1967 lines.
