Southeast Asia

With a population of more than 670 million people (almost 9 per cent of the world’s population), Southeast Asia is on track to be the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2040. It is a critical hub for global commerce and has emerged as a focal point of great power competition, with flashpoints like the South China Sea highlighting the region’s strategic significance. These dynamics make Southeast Asia central to Australia’s long-term security and prosperity, and they shape the focus of our work across the region.