Resources

Transportation networks, energy grids and digital communications connect economies and drive economic growth, trade and development across borders. In collaborating on inclusive, low-carbon, disaster- and climate-resilient infrastructure, Australia and Southeast Asia are working towards more prosperous, stable societies.

Such collaboration is not new, but it is emphasised in Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which aims to deepen Australia’s economic integration with Southeast Asia and to foster mutual growth and prosperity. This strategy outlines areas of focus to enhance regional cooperation and development: strengthening institutional capacity; promoting sustainable economic growth; enhancing human development; and fostering regional stability and resilience.

As P4I moves into its second phase, this case study explores the successes and learnings from 3 Australia – Southeast Asia partnerships across road engineering, accessible transportation, and energy transition. These partnerships were established between 2021 and 2024 in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. P4I’s partners in these countries identified the specific infrastructure development challenge, and then Australian organisations with common interests, and the right capability and mandate, were paired with a Southeast Asian counterpart so they could tackle the project together. While some projects had a set outcome and have now ended, others are continuing with new, mutually beneficial work to strengthen future infrastructure decisions.

Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) is Australia’s flagship regional infrastructure development initiative in Southeast Asia. Funded though Australia’s development program, P4I is supporting partners to manage and deliver new infrastructure worth over A$50 billion annually. In its first phase, P4I has strengthened our two-way infrastructure development partnerships in the region.

This P4I brochure provides an overview of P4I’s achievements to date across its priority sectors.

The maritime transport sector, vital to global trade and economic development, must urgently address its growing emissions while preserving competitiveness and operational efficiency. As international trade volumes continue to expand, transformative action on emissions reduction has become imperative across the shipping value chain. To advance this agenda in Southeast Asia, the Australian Government, through Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I), has established strategic collaborations with key government authorities and operators responsible for maritime policy and infrastructure operations in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

These collaborations align with Australia’s efforts to develop its first Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan (MERNAP). Specifically, one of the MERNAP Issues Papers highlights the importance of developing ‘green shipping corridors’ to create environmental and economic win-wins throughout the region. The collaborations also support Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy, which highlights the importance of strengthening regional partnerships, transferring clean technology expertise, investing in renewable energy, and building resilient, sustainable and inclusive supply chains.

Since 2021, P4I has worked with the Philippines’ Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Our partnership with Philippines agencies on transport connectivity, public-private partnerships and telecommunications aims to support the diversification of financing strategies and mobilisation of private sector investment.

Southeast Asia continues to evolve into a vibrant economic hub, and the region’s infrastructure sector is poised to unlock new economic opportunities. It is crucial that women are included in this transformation because gender equality drives sustainable growth, innovation and social resilience.

This case study presents the results of 3 initiatives supported by Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I), each aimed at promoting women’s leadership in the energy and transport sectors at the ASEAN level and in Cambodia and Laos. These efforts reinforce Australia’s commitment to gender equality in foreign policy, particularly in advancing women’s economic empowerment, fostering inclusive trade, and supporting locally led leadership in line with the Australian Government’s International Gender Equality Strategy.

Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) is an Australian Government initiative partnering with Southeast Asia to foster inclusive growth through sustainable infrastructure.

Since 2021, P4I has worked with Thailand’s Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Energy, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on transport connectivity, clean energy and infrastructure financing. Our partnership with Thai agencies aims to support planning and decision-making that delivers resilient infrastructure and attracts investments.

Core to the principles of modern, resilient infrastructure, P4I supports policy and regulatory reform that embeds climate and disaster resilience and enhances inclusion and accessibility.

Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) is one of Australia’s flagship infrastructure development initiatives in Southeast Asia, supporting the region’s economic growth through quality, sustainable infrastructure.

Building on longstanding engagement across the region, P4I brings together Australian and Southeast Asian government counterparts, independent regulators, utilities and infrastructure operators to share technical and policy advice, and specific infrastructure investments advice. We collaborate with a wide range of other bilateral development partners and multilateral organisations.

P4I works with partners across transport, energy, telecommunications, and public investment management. Its approach is both top-down and bottom-up—supporting broader policy reforms while also addressing investment barriers faced by businesses and investors. By removing bottlenecks and improving infrastructure decision-making, P4I helps unlock new opportunities for investment, innovation, and sustainable growth across the region.

This case study explores the potential of pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES) as a key solution to support Southeast Asia’s renewable energy transition. Australia, through Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I), has led multiple initiatives in the region, working in collaboration with the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines and Electricité du Laos; the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN); Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Sarawak Energy in Malaysia; and the ASEAN Centre for Energy. These collaborations draw on Australia’s experience in PHES. Support includes access to the Australian National University’s global atlas of potential PHES sites, expert input on strategic planning and feasibility studies, guidance on potential business models and sustainable finance pathways, and direct engagement with Australian policymakers, regulators, and engineering firms through study tours.

Since 2021, P4I has worked together with ASEAN bodies including the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN Centre for Energy, the Lead Implementing Body on Sustainable Infrastructure, the ASEAN Energy Regulators Network, and the Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities/Authorities, as well as individually with ASEAN Member States (AMS) to support their implementation of ASEAN commitments at the country level.