ASEAN-Australia



Pursuant to the decision of the 17th AMM, the Standing Committee agreed on the modality of rotating the coordinator country of dialogue partners. The rotation is on a 3 year basis with the UNDP being permanently coordinated by the ASEAN Secretariat. The rotation is to take effect after the PMC of the 18th AMM from 15 July 1985. The new coordinator countries and the respective dialogue partners are as follows:

ASEAN - AUSTRALIA

ASEAN and Australia reviewed the progress of their relations when they held their Ninth Forum in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, 1 - 2 February 1985.

Australia announced an additional commitment of A$6.3 million to existing and new projects under the ASEAN - Australia Economic Co- operation Programme (AAECP), bringing the total amount of funds expended and committed since the Programme's initiation in 1974 to A$93.5 million.

A Memorandum of Understanding on the ASEAN Special Visits Scheme was signed by Malaysia, on behalf of ASEAN and Australia in February 1985. The Scheme is designed to foster private sector contact between ASEAN and Australia through the facilitation of training programmes for ASEAN nationals.

Following the successful completion of the ASEAN Protein, Project (1 974 - 1985), the ASEAN Food Habits Project was formally launched with a commitment by Australia to provide funding amounting to A$2.0 million. Australia confirmed tire approval of an additional fund of A$6.4 million to the ASEAN Food Handling Bureau over the next five years.

Australia also agreed to the extension of the ASEAN Development Education Project (ADEP) to 30 June 1986 to be funded from the existing available allocation.

The ASEAN Diabetes Prevention and Control Project was reformulated and awaiting the signing of the Memorandum o Understanding for implementation. This is the first health-related project under the AAECP.

ASEAN - Australia cooperation in culture and .information was further strengthened with the implementation of a 3-year Media and Information Programme, with Australian funding of A$3.48 million.

In the area of trade and commercial relations, Australia agreed to commit A$3 million for the second cycle of the ASEAN - Australia Trade and Investment Promotion Programme (TIPP). The first cycle of the TIPP had been completed in 1984, and the second cycle is expected to cover the 1984/1985 to 1986/1 987 period. At the Ninth ASEAN - Australia Forum, in February 1985, it was agreed that trade relations should be further strengthened through close consultations on matters pertaining to multilateral trade. Towards this end, preparations were underway to convene a special meeting of the ASEAN - Australian Consultative Working Group on Trade in 1985.

Cooperation in science and technology was enhanced with Australia's agreement to support the Marine Science Programme with a total budget of A$5 million. Australia further agreed to provide A$2.2 million for the project on Management of Science and Technology Training. Various other project proposals on science and technology submitted at the Forum received Australia's favourable consideration.