Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong will embark on a crucial diplomatic visit to Laos, Japan, and the Republic of Korea from July 26. The visit aims to strengthen Australia’s relationships with key partners and regional architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.
In Laos, Minister Wong will attend the ASEAN-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and ASEAN Regional Forum. These meetings will focus on progressing outcomes from the Special Summit held in Melbourne earlier this year and reinforcing Australia’s commitment to regional stability and prosperity.
Minister Wong will then travel to Tokyo for the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with counterparts from Japan, India, and the United States. The Quad will discuss cooperation on infrastructure, supply chains, connectivity, education, research, humanitarian and disaster responses, counterterrorism, and security.
Finally, in Seoul, Minister Wong will meet with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul to progress implementation of outcomes from the May 2+2 meeting in Melbourne. The visit will also include a visit to the UN Command Buildings in the Joint Security Area within the Demilitarized Zone, highlighting international cooperation in addressing North Korea’s security challenges.
This diplomatic visit underscores Australia’s commitment to deepening collaboration with key partners and regional architecture to promote a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.