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.
Case Study | Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam | Energy, Inclusion, Resilience, Transport |
Jul 2025