Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will attend the special Asea-Australia Summit in Melbourne, Australia, on March 4-6 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, according to an informed diplomatic source.

He will attend the three-day meeting along with other invited Asean leaders, except the Myanmar leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao from Timor Leste will also join the summit, according to the source.

Dili is expected to become the 11th member of Asean soon.

The special summit will be hosted by Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese which will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

During the summit, apart from the retreat and the plenary sessions, there will be several side-line events to mark this milestone event including business, emerging leaders, climate and clean energy, and maritime cooperation.

The source added that Australia will use the opportunity to enhance cooperation with Asean, especially on trade and investment. Canberra was accorded a comprehensive strategic partnership by the Asean leaders in 2021.