P4I Update: Building a Sustainable Future for Southeast Asia

Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) has released its latest update, highlighting the key achievements of government partners in the region, building on and scaling Australia’s partnerships to help realise the region’s bold vision for the future.

Driving Sustainable Growth in Southeast Asia

As Southeast Asia marches toward becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2040, the need for quality, sustainable, and inclusive infrastructure has never been more critical. The region faces an estimated US$3 trillion infrastructure investment gap—a challenge that demands coordinated action, innovation, and strong partnerships.

Since its launch in 2020, P4I initiative —funded through Australia’s development program—has been at the forefront of supporting Southeast Asian partners to manage and deliver new infrastructure worth over A$50 billion annually. In its first phase, P4I has strengthened two-way partnerships, sharing Australia’s infrastructure expertise and fostering collaboration across the region.

Read more about P4I’s work with partners in the region to deliver on quality, low-carbon, inclusive and resilient infrastructure by reading the full report.

Key Achievements

The update showcases P4I’s progress across its priority sectors, including:

Climate resilient, low-carbon transport:

• P4I is expanding its work with governments and port authorities on maritime decarbonisation strategies. This work includes support for greening port facilities, transitioning to low-carbon fuels, and the development of potential green shipping corridors within the region and with Australia.  
• Australia’s experience in delivering high quality land transport networks in a way that is both cost effective and utilises innovative financing has led to several influential activities.  

Renewable energy integration  

• the transition to a clean energy economy is both the most significant challenge and an opportunity for Southeast Asia and Australia. Australia has the expertise and technology to assist the region with its transition needs, and there is scope to attract investment to support Australia’s clean energy manufacturing objectives.  
• P4I is supporting partner governments to develop efficient energy markets, establish the required policy and regulatory architecture, and build the technical capacity necessary to integrate higher levels of renewable energy into the region’s energy systems while addressing energy access, reliability and security.  

Shoring digital connectivity and security

• Australia’s open, competitive and technologically innovative telecommunications market, delivery of services in challenging environments, and leading approach to development and safeguarding undersea cable network assets is well regarded. This is underpinning interest from partners in Southeast Asia to work with P4I on telecommunications.  

Improved infrastructure financing

• Australia is recognised for delivering high-quality infrastructure across a challenging geography utilising innovative financing models. Drawing on this experience, P4I has responded to high demand for support to strengthen infrastructure planning, prioritisation and procurement, and to improve access to more diverse and better-quality infrastructure finance.  

Looking Ahead

Under the Australia – Southeast Asia Regional Development Partnership Plan 2024–2028, Australia remains committed to sharing its infrastructure know-how and supporting the region’s growth ambitions. P4I’s work—providing advisory services, facilitating partnerships, and building capacity—will continue to be a cornerstone of this commitment.

The latest P4I update provides an in-depth look at the initiative’s achievements and its ongoing mission to help Southeast Asia build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable infrastructure for generations to come.

Find out more about P4I’s work by reading the full update.