On 23 October 2024, H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia was invited to the 16th ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Dialogue, organised by Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, in collaboration with Asialink, Asia-New Zealand Foundation and ASEAN-ISIS, during 23 – 24 October 2024 at Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. The event, which was officiated by Dr. Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Chairman of ISIS Malaysia, together with Prof. Anthony Milner, Senior Advisor of Asialink and Mr. Hone McGregor, Trustee of Asia-New Zealand Foundation, was well-attended by over 50 participants, including dignitaries such as H.E. Mrs. Danielle Heinecke, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E. Mrs. Tiffany McDonald, Ambassador of Australia to ASEAN, H.E. Mr. Stuart Donald Cave Calman, Ambassador of New Zealand to ASEAN, Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community, as well as public and private sector, academics, media and various stakeholders. Mr. Kavi Chongkittavorn, Journalist and Senior Fellow of Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS) Thailand also joined the panel of discussion on U.S. elections and the Indo-Pacific.

 

ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Dialogue is an informal meeting under Track II Diplomacy which provides platform for stakeholders to analyze and evaluate ASEAN’s stance on regional and international security issues, ways to enhance ASEAN relations with Australia and New Zealand as dialogue partners, as the year 2024 marks the 50th year anniversary of ASEAN-Australia relations, and 2025 will mark the 50th year anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand relations. Roles of major powers and ASEAN centrality, as well as expectations during Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 were also discussed during the meeting.