May 21, 2025
SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese agreed on the importance of upholding an open, inclusive and rules-based multilateral system.
They also discussed ways to work together towards these goals, including with other like-minded partners, when PM Wong hosted Mr Albanese to tea on May 20.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said the two leaders also reaffirmed the excellent state of bilateral ties between Singapore and Australia that are underpinned by the “multi-faceted and pathfinding Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)”.
They welcomed the good progress made to advance bilateral cooperation through an upgraded CSP, which will be launched later in 2025 at the 10th Singapore-Australia Leaders’ Meeting.
The two leaders also exchanged views on key regional and global developments.
PM Wong and Mr Albanese are meeting for the first time since winning at the ballot box. Australia and Singapore both went to the polls on May 3.
On May 20, PM Wong welcomed Mr Albanese’s renewed commitment to engage Asean, including through Australia’s South-east Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together to foster a stable, peaceful and prosperous region, and said they were looking forward to meeting later in 2025 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Singapore and Australia.
In a Facebook post on May 20, PM Wong said Singapore and Australia are close friends, with many common strategic perspectives and shared interests.
He said: “It was good to catch up with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, especially so soon after both our countries held elections on the same day, 3 May!
“Looking forward to seeing him again when I visit Australia later this year to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties between our two countries.”
In a post on May 20 on social media platform X, Mr Albanese said Australia and Singapore believe in free trade and global rules that keep the region stable.
He said: “We have so much in common. And by working together, we can deliver for our economies and for our security. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, thank you for meeting with me today to further this vital partnership.”
After winning a second term at the ballot box, Mr Albanese went on an international trip that included visits to Indonesia and the Vatican, where he attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV.
Singapore is the final leg of Mr Albanese’s week-long trip.